Potential improvements at intersection of U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue to be focus of March 28 FDOT meeting in Sarasota

Session to be held at the Municipal Auditorium

Traffic on Gulfstream Avenue flows near the U.S. 41 intersection in downtown Sarasota. Photo courtesy FDOT

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will conduct a public meeting on proposals to improve traffic flow at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue in downtown Sarasota, the department has announced.

FDOT is considering the following two alternatives, a news release says:

  • Convert the intersection into a roundabout.
  • Expand the intersection by adding a third southbound left-turn lane heading from downtown along U.S. 41 toward the barrier islands.

“A no-build alternative” also will remain under consideration “throughout the process, the FDOT news release points out.

The meeting will be held at the Municipal Auditorium, located at 801 N. Tamiami Trail.

FDOT is concerned about improving bicyclists’ and pedestrians’ safety at the intersection, as well, the news release notes.

During the open house, the public will have the opportunity to watch videos modeling the two alternatives, ask questions one-on-one with FDOT representatives and provide comments, the release adds. Staff from the City of Sarasota Engineering Division also will be on hand, City Manager Tom Barwin has announced.

FDOT has provided this tentative timeline for the project. Image courtesy FDOT

A public hearing on a recommendation is expected to be conducted in November 2017, the release adds. In December, FDOT anticipates the completion of a $436,000 Project Development and Environment study that its consultant — Kimley-Horn & Associates of Sarasota — began in June 2016 to evaluate improvements to the intersection, the project website says.

At any time, comments may be provided to the project manager, Joshua Jester, the release adds. He may be reached at 863-519-2251, by email at Joshua.jester@dot.state.fl.us or by mail at FDOT, PO Box 1249, Bartow, FL 33831, the release notes.