U.S. 41-Fruitville Road Intersection Hearing Scheduled

SARASOTA, FL – The Florida Department of Transportation has big plans for the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and Fruitville Road. However, the FDoT is looking to hear from Sarasota County about its plans to construct a roundabout at the downtown corridor intersection.

The FDoT will host a public hearing on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Sarasota City Hall Commission Chambers, 1565 First St. The hearing will start with an open house at 5 p.m. with a formal presentation to follow at 6.

The hearing will allow residents the opportunity to express their views about the conceptual design; location; and economic, environmental and social effects of a roundabout at the U.S. Highway 41 at Fruitville Road intersection.

According to the FDoT website, the roundabout was one of three proposed alternatives for the intersection improvements:

• No-Build Alternative: No improvements to the intersection as part of this project beyond the improvements to U.S. Highway 41 designed under the FDOT US 41 Traffic Separator Project, which limits from Fruitville Road to Gulfstream Avenue.
• Improved Signalized Intersection Alternative: Upgrade the signalized intersection at U.S. Highway 41 and Fruitville Road, along with roadway and pedestrian facility improvements through the intersection.
• Roundabout Alternative: Provide a two-lane free flow traffic circle along with pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements through the intersection.

The draft study documents are available to the public through Monday, Nov. 6 at the Selby Public Library, 1331 First S. in Sarasota. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Documents can also be viewed on the project website at http://www.swflroads.com/us41/fruitvilleroundabout/.

People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require free translation services, contact Jamie Schley, District One Title VI Coordinator, at (863) 519-2573 or e-mail Jamie.schley@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days before the hearing.

For more information about the project, contact Project Manager Joshua Jester at (863) 519-2251, e-mail Joshua.jester@dot.state.fl.us or by regular mail at Florida Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1249, Bartow, FL 33831. All statements postmarked on or before Friday, Nov. 10 will be considered part of the public hearing record.

Image via Shutterstock