There’s a long road of work ahead.
The Florida Department of Transportation released a long-range estimate for its five-year work program that includes improvements to Gulf Drive.
The work program is an outline of changes, upkeep and construction to be carried out on state roads from 2020-25.
One element of the program, an intersection improvement project, would cover State Road 789 from Longboat Key through Bradenton Beach and into Holmes Beach to State Road 64 and includes work at or near 18 intersections within the Gulf Drive corridor.
Surveying has yet to begin but will help determine if adjustments to utilities need to be made.
The estimate for the full intersection improvement plan is $1.48 million, according to the DOT.
A report released by the DOT in April shows where and what construction is anticipated.
Here’s what to expect in Bradenton Beach:
- The placement or replacement of curbs and gutters or sidewalks, milling and resurfacing SR 789 south of 11th Street South.
Plans include the installation of bollards in the parking lot area at Cortez Beach to protect pedestrian signals and signage at the crossing area on the west side. There is an emphasis on crosswalks at the mid-block crossing with pedestrian crossing markings and signage.
- The placement or replacement of curbs and gutters or sidewalks, milling and resurfacing SR 789 south of Ninth Street South. There is an emphasis on crosswalks at a mid-block crossing, with pedestrian crossing markings and signage.
- Milling and resurfacing SR 789 north of First Street North. There is an emphasis on crosswalks at the mid-block crossing, with pedestrian crossing markings and signage.
- Milling and resurfacing SR 789 north of Ninth Street North and the addition of pedestrian crossing markings.
- The placement or replacement of curbs and gutters or sidewalks, milling and resurfacing SR 789 near the Bermuda Bay Club. There is an emphasis on crosswalks at mid-block crossing with pedestrian crossing markings and signage.
- The placement or replacement of curbs and gutters or sidewalk, milling and resurfacing SR 789 north of 22nd Street North. There is an emphasis on crosswalks at mid-block crossing with pedestrian crossing markings and signage.
- The placement or replacement of curb and gutter or sidewalk, milling and resurfacing SR789 south of 25th Street North. There is an emphasis on crosswalks at a mid-block crossing with pedestrian crossing markings and signage.
- The milling and resurfacing SR789 south of 27th Street North with pedestrian crossing markings.
- The milling and resurfacing SR789 north of 28th Street North, with an emphasis on crosswalks at mid-block crossing with pedestrian crossing markings and signage.
Here’s what’s in the plan for Holmes Beach:
- The milling and resurfacing SR 789 at 28th Street North.
- Milling and resurfacing SR 789 East Bay Drive near a shopping center with an emphasis on crosswalks at mid-block crossing with pedestrian crossing markings and signage.
Also included in the plan: Overhead lighting for the Coquina North Boat Ramp entrance, north of Fifth Street South and north of Ninth Street North in Bradenton Beach.
For more information, contact the DOT Office of Work Program and Budget at 850-414-4622.