The proposed barrier island traffic study by the Florida Department of Transportation may be delayed five years.
During the Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting held March 14 at Holmes Beach City Hall, Tricia Labud presented the DOT’s plan for the study.
Labud said the DOT is working with local governments and businesses on the scope of work for the study. Once completed, the scoping will be distributed for bidding.
Labud said the DOT is in charge of the study and contracting the study consultant, a process estimated to take six months.
Once the study is funded and contracted, data collection would take place over the following peak of tourist season, January-April.
After the study, the DOT would consider recommendations.
The scope of the study is being developed based on suggestions from “local partners,” including Holmes Beach officials, law enforcement and business owners, along with Longboat Key representatives.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy expressed disappointment he was not consulted, a sentiment echoed by Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon.
“If Bill and I aren’t local partners that’s a problem,” Murphy said.
“We would like to be in on plans for the consultant,” Shearon said.
Labud said the DOT apologized for the oversight.
The study will address congestion in three zones:
• The first zone, dubbed the “residential” zone, includes Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.
• The second zone, the “beach” zone, includes Coquina Beach and other areas in Bradenton Beach.
• The third zone, the “shopping” zone, includes Longboat and Lido keys, including St. Armands Circle.
The project will be completed in three phases. Phase one involves the consultant company conducting research and reviewing previous island traffic and related studies. The second includes data collection and observation. The third phase involves the consultant providing recommendations.
The study is estimated to cost $650,000, with funding to be determined.
Shearon said he is concerned about the timeframe with the study not yet funded, which could take up to five years, depending on the DOT’s list of priorities.
“We’re in critical times now,” he said.
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore spoke during public comment, saying she talked with owners of the proposed Lake Flores development at 75th Street and Cortez Road, and they are eager to devise a solution to island traffic congestion and parking.
“It’s a very sensitive subject, but one that needs to be addressed,” Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson said.
The ITPO will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, April 11, at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
Longboat needs it’s on bridge off the island or at least a farry boat. But something that would help right away… I mean like tomorrow would be to have traffic cops at the major lights during busy times instead of the lights themselves. And a huge improvement would be to take out the light all together on Cortez by Tyler’s ice cream store. It’s useless and really, really holds up traffic trying to get off the island, most of which are coming over from Longboat. At the very least if you would have a traffic cop at that light that would allow a faster, steady stream of cars off the island instead of having to wait for that long, pointless light!