June 26 public hearing planned by FDOT on project that would feature Clark Road improvements from east of I-75 to Lorraine Road

Session to be conducted in-person and online

This map shows the proposed project limits. Image courtesy FDOT

On June 26, both in person and virtually, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will conduct a public hearing regarding a proposed Clark Road project from east of Interstate 75 to the Lorraine Road intersection in Sarasota, the department has announced.

A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study “will evaluate potential improvements to this 3.4-mile segment” of State Road 72, a news release says. The project benefits could include “improved capacity to accommodate future travel demand” that is anticipated as a result of area-wide population and employment growth, the release points out. Other goals would be “enhancing safety conditions and accommodating bicycle and pedestrian activity,” the release says.

“This hearing is being conducted to present the preferred alternative and all analysis to date, as well as to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements,” the release explains. Whether persons wish to participate online or in-person, they will hear the same information, the release notes, “and all attendees will have opportunity to comment.”

Details about the proposed initiative are available on an FDOT webpage, the release points out.

This graphic provides traffic crash data for the affected area of Clark Road. It was a result of earlier project research, FDOT indicates. Image courtesy FDOT

The PD&E Study phase was funded in the state’s 2022 fiscal year, that webpage says. However, it adds, no funding has been allocated in FDOT’s Five-Year Work Program or the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization’s 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for design, right-of-way acquisition or construction.

This is a February aerial view of Twin Lakes Park on Clark Road. Image from Google Maps

The release does note that, in accord “with Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, FDOT is seeking comments concerning the effects of the project on the activities, features, and attributes of Twin Lakes Park.”

The county park stands at 6700 Clark Road. It has multiple athletic fields, as well as a playground, tennis courts and paved and unpaved trails, the county website says.

To participate in the June 26 hearing online, the FDOT release continues, a person must register in advance at fdot.cc/SR72_Public_Hearing_Registration

At 5:45 p.m., for those who chose the online option, information will be provided on how to submit comments, the release continues. Again, the formal program will begin at 6 p.m.

Anyone unable to attend the hearing may submit comments through the project webpage swflroads.com/project/444634-1; by email at steven.andrews@dot.state.fl.us or by mail sent to FDOT District One, Attn: Steven A. Andrews, Project Manager, MS 1-40, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830, the release adds.

“While comments about the project are accepted at any time,” the release points out, “they must be received or postmarked by July 7, 2025, to be included in the formal hearing record. All comments are weighted equally.” Members of the public with questions can call Steven A. Andrews at 863-519-2270, the release says.

A summary of the hearing will be available on the webpage approximately 30 days following the close of the comment period,” the release emphasizes.

Further, it points out, project documents will be available for public viewing from June 5 to July 7 at Gulf Gate Public Library, which is located at 7112 Curtiss Ave. Sarasota, and at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Sarasota County offices, which are part of the Twin Lakes Park complex standing at 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota. The documents also will be available on the project webpage, the release says