DOT to hold hearing on Bradenton-Palmetto Connector plan
A map shows the DOT’s preferred alternative for the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector project.
By Lisa Neff
The Florida Department of Transportation is finalizing a study that could shape how people cross the Manatee River for decades.
The DOT will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. July 16 to present its preferred alternative for the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector, a plan to add capacity along U.S. 301/U.S. 41 and across the river at the DeSoto Bridge.
The hearing will give the public an opportunity to comment before FDOT completes the study and determines whether changes to the preferred alternative are needed. It will be at Manatee County Fairgrounds, Veterans Hall, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto, with an open house at 5 p.m., a formal presentation at 6 p.m. and then comments.
People also can attend online, with registration at attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8590632136475845719.
In January 2025, the DOT launched a project development and environment study to evaluate corridor alternatives to increase mobility and accommodate transportation demand across the river.
The study starts on U.S. 301 at Ninth Street East in Bradenton, travels north and merges with U.S. 41. The study continues along U.S. 41, over the DeSoto Bridge, and ends north of 25th Street East in Palmetto.
After eliminating two of three corridor alternatives, the DOT has a preferred alternative, described in a summary July 10 provided by director of public information Janella Newsome:
- North and south of the DeSoto Bridge: The proposed roadway would include six at-grade lanes with sidewalks or shared-use paths on both sides of the road and two proposed express lanes elevated on a structure that could be tolled.
- DeSoto Bridge: The bridge would include six general-purpose lanes and two buffer-separated proposed express lanes. Shoulders and a shared-use path would be included on both sides. A concrete barrier would separate the two directions of travel.
The summary also said the improvements could be interim or phased: widening U.S. 41 from four lanes to six lanes from westbound State Road 64/Manatee Avenue to U.S. 301/10th Street East, continuous sidewalks and shared-use paths, the reconstruction of the bridge to accommodate six general-purpose lanes, then an expansion to include two proposed express lanes.
Funding remains limited. The DOT’s five-year work program covers the study phase, while “the department is actively seeking funding opportunities to construct all, or portions of the project.” If funding is secured, construction on the interim improvements could start as early as fiscal year 2030, according to the DOT.
The full preferred alternative is considered a long-term project, and the study is expected to be complete by late 2026.
Project documents are posted at swflroads.com/project/444843-1 and also are available at the Manatee County Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W., Bradenton; the Palmetto Branch Library, 923 Sixth St. W.; and the DOT Manatee Operations Center, 14000 State Road 64, Bradenton.
Comments may be submitted at the hearing, online during the event, through the project website, by email to michelle.rutishauser@dot.state.fl.us or by mail to DOT District One, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830, Attn: MS 1-40 Bradenton-Palmetto Connector PD&E Study.
What is a PD&E study?
A project development and environment study is a review process the DOT uses to meet the National Environmental Policy Act. It identifies the location and conceptual design of possible road projects while weighing their social, economic and environmental effects. The work involves engineers, planners and scientists who collect and analyze data, then compare alternatives before FDOT selects a preferred option.