Two Lakewood Ranch roads get higher speed limits

The speed limit on Rangeland Parkway from Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to Bourneside Boulevard is being raised from 35 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour. 

The new signs should be up in early August. 

The commission, with the exception of Commissioner George Kruse, voted to increase the speed limit at the May 28 commission meeting. 

Commissioners also approved a speed limit increase on Uihlein Road between State Road 70 and State Road 64, but that was a formality. 

“It started as a mix of 35 and 45, and the stewardship district changed all of it to 40 somewhere along the way,” said Bill Logan, Information Outreach Manager for Manatee County. “There might be a couple of extra signs needed or possible relocations, but Uihlein is mostly properly posted at 40 already.”

Kruse objected to the change on Rangeland Parkway because that stretch of road already passes by the soccer fields at the Premier Sports Campus and the Lakewood Ranch Library. Plus, the school district is building a high school on the south side of Rangeland Parkway between Lorraine Road and Post Boulevard.

“It seems like we’re increasing speed just to increase speed in a situation where we should be keeping the speed lower,” he said. “People are going to drive what they’re going to drive regardless of what a little sign says, but there’s no reason to encourage it. If they’re going to drive five to 10 miles over 35, they’re just going to go that same distance over 40 now.”

Kruse said that because the road is straight, there are no traffic calming features. 

Pat Kopcsak is a member of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, so she drives Rangeland Parkway regularly to man the Friends bookstore at the library. She sees the straightness of the road as one reason to allow a higher speed. 

“It’s a straight road. I think (40 miles per hour) is a safe speed,” Kopcsak said. “When you compare it with the other roads like Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, there’s not that much traffic.” 

Esplanade resident Laurie Iannucci walked up to the checkout with a pile of books and a similar opinion. 

“There’s nothing here really, unless people turn into a development,” she said. “I’m so glad they’re making it 40."