A $61 million project to widen River Road in Sarasota County has been completed, expanding a heavily traveled stretch of roadway from two lanes to six lanes between U.S. 41 and Interstate 75.
Gov. Ron DeSantis joined state and local officials on Oct. 2 to celebrate the completion of the five-mile project on State Road 777, which state transportation officials say will triple roadway capacity and help ease congestion for residents, businesses and visitors in fast-growing Sarasota County.
The project was funded through a partnership between the Florida Department of Transportation and Sarasota County and was completed ahead of schedule, according to state officials.
"These improvements will go a long way toward meeting travel demand and relieving
congestion in Sarasota County," DeSantis said in a statement.
River Road has long been considered a regional transportation priority because it serves as a major north-south route connecting communities in southern Sarasota County and providing access to Interstate 75. State officials said the corridor also plays an important role during hurricane evacuations.
The widening project ultimately exceeded its original scope. While initial plans called for expanding the roadway to four lanes, FDOT increased the project to six lanes along the entire corridor in an effort to provide additional congestion relief.
FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue said the project reflects the agency's broader effort to improve transportation connections across Southwest Florida.
"By looking at the entire corridor and finding opportunities to deliver more, we are building better connections and infrastructure designed to serve Southwest Florida for years to come," Perdue said.
In addition to the roadway expansion, the project includes several safety and mobility improvements.
New shared-use paths were constructed on both sides of River Road, giving pedestrians and cyclists 10-foot-wide routes connecting neighborhoods and destinations along the corridor.
The project also added upgraded lighting and traffic signals, pedestrian refuge islands, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps and other safety features aimed at improving visibility and pedestrian access.
To reduce conflicts between motorists and wildlife, the project includes two wildlife underpasses designed to provide safer passage for animals traveling beneath the roadway.
The widening effort was supported by the Florida Department of Transportation, Sarasota County, the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization and other regional partners.
Transportation officials said the improvements are intended to accommodate continued growth in the region while improving mobility and safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County finishes major River Road expansion
