Input sought for possible S.R. 64/Rye Road project

FDOT seeks public opinion before considering construction.

By Pam Eubanks
| 7:30 a.m. August 20, 2016

This aerial shows Rye Road's intersection with State Road 64.

East County
Neighbors

What improvements do you think would make the intersection of Rye Road and State Road 64 safer for drivers and pedestrians?

The Florida Department of Transportation wants to know.

The FDOT will hold a public information meeting Sept. 1 to help it evaluate the best option for improving intersection safety there for vehicular traffic, including freight vehicles, and bicycles and pedestrians.

If you go:

What: Public Meeting on Rye Road/S.R. 64 Intersection designs

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 1

Where: FDOT Manatee Operations Center, 14000 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton

Details: The Florida Department of Transportation will host an open house to solicit public input regarding potential designs for the intersection of State Road 64 with Rye Road/White Eagle Boulevard. These designs include no change, a traffic signal and a roundabout.

Information: Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Patrick Bateman, E.I., project manager, FDOT, at (863) 519-2792 or [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

Persons who are hearing or speech impaired can contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

The meeting will be held in an open house format with a continuous video presentation. Project staff will display plans and provide information for three alternatives — leaving the intersection as-is, installing a traffic signal or installing a roundabout — while answering questions about the proposals.

FDOT spokesman Robin Stublen said FDOT has no opinion as to which design is best at this time, and will use public input from the meeting to help ensure whatever design is chosen meets both transportation and community needs.

“This is just to get public input on these three alternatives,” Stublen said. “We’re three years out, pending we get funding (for construction).”

Design of the interchange alone could take 18 months, possibly more if right of way must be acquired.

Stublen said the meeting is required as part of FDOT’s Project Development and Environmental Study and is part of the process of all major road projects. A similar PDE study for the diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and University Parkway, for example, was held in 2007.

Residents of Mill Creek, Country Creek and other communities north of State Road 64 with access off Rye Road have expressed concerns about safety at the intersection, which eventually will connect Rye Road from the north to the new White Eagle Boulevard south of State Road 64. Southbound traffic on Rye Road can back up with more than 30 vehicles waiting to make a right-hand to head west during peak traffic times. Because the road is two lanes, the situation frequently is compounded if there is a southbound vehicle attempting to turn left, but is unable to navigate across the intersection.