Sarasota/Manatee Barrier Islands Traffic Study to be focus of Dec. 5 public information workshop

Session to begin at 4:30 p.m. at Longboat Island Chapel

A graphic shows the area covered by the Barrier Islands Traffic Study. Image courtesy FDOT

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public information workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 5, on the Sarasota/Manatee Barrier Islands Traffic Study, the state department has announced.

The session will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Longboat Island Chapel, located at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key, a news release says. Interested people will have the opportunity to review displays and talk one-on-one with FDOT staff, the release adds.

“FDOT is conducting a study to examine the feasibility of improving the overall transportation infrastructure, including traffic operations and circulation,” on the Sarasota/Manatee barrier islands, as well as island-to-mainland connections, the release explains. “To ensure a comprehensive approach,” the release continues, the study is evaluating a variety of elements, including travel patterns of users on the islands, trips on and off the islands, destination points, existing transit service, existing parking facilities, bicycle/pedestrian facilities and needs, and land development codes as they relate to parking.

Phase 1 of the traffic study is complete, the release notes. Phase 2, which is underway, was designed to encompass observations, collection of traffic data, review of land use issues and parking studies. “Possible recommendations for various modes of transportation will be presented,” the release adds.