UPCOMING PUBLIC WORKSHOP – February 3, 2026, and February 5, 2026
FDOT invites you to an upcoming public workshop. The purpose of this workshop is to share the alternatives and analysis completed to date, and to provide the public with an opportunity to comment for the official workshop record. Read the Public Involvement section below for all information.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) corridor study for the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector. The purpose of the study is to evaluate corridor alternatives to connect the Cities of Bradenton and Palmetto across the Manatee River, improving regional mobility, connectivity, and safety for all users, including motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, trucks, and transit.

This study is examining three corridor alternatives and incorporates engineering and environmental assessments. The PD&E phase focuses on key aspects such as the bridge’s location, height, and appearance.    

This comprehensive evaluation looks at the natural, social, physical, and cultural environment; project cost; traffic; and how each corridor meets the purpose and need of this project. Coordination with resource and regulatory agencies, project stakeholders, and the community plays a vital role in the PD&E Study process.

This process will help determine a viable preferred alternative from the three corridors from an engineering, environmental, and community perspective.

Purpose and Need 

The purpose of the project is to evaluate additional capacity and transportation demand across the Manatee River as part of the regional transportation system. The need for the proposed project is based on the following criteria:

• Increase roadway capacity
• Address anticipated transportation demand
• Increase safety

Project Status (October 2025)
 •    The updated future traffic analysis has been completed.
•    Completed Origin and Destination Analysis where traffic is coming from and where it’s going. (Origin/Destination) Increased from 31% to 47% of traffic is pass through. 
•    Analyzed over 20 alternatives to meet the traffic demand.
•    Examining road conditions, safety concerns, land use, and environmental factors.
•    Surveying and evaluation of environmental resources and potential impacts of resources.
•    Planning a public workshop for early 2026 to share the findings and receive community feedback.
•    Continue sharing information with stakeholders and local agencies and gathering input.

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Historical Reference

The need for an improved access across the Manatee River was identified as part of the Central Manatee Network Alternatives Analysis (CMNAA) Study, which concluded in 2019. It was a collaboration between FDOT, Manatee County, the Cities of Bradenton and Palmetto, and the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). 

This analysis led to the initiation of the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) Study. The original six corridors were developed in 2017 as part of the CMNAA study.  Later, four additional corridors were introduced—two to the west and two to the east of the initial six—expanding the study to a total of ten corridors.

During the ACE Study three corridors were identified for further evaluation through a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. Corridors A, B Modified and D Modified. (During the PD&E study these corridors are referred to as Corridors A, B, and D.) Information about the ACE study is located in the Project Documents section of this page.  

Get Involved

The Bradenton-Palmetto Connector PD&E Study is committed to open and transparent community engagement. As we work to improve regional mobility, we also understand the importance of local concerns. This project aims to find the right balance, supporting better transportation while respecting and responding to the needs of the community.

Your feedback plays a critical role during the PD&E Study and will be considered during the project development and decision-making process. If you would like to submit a comment or ask a question, please click the blue comment box located on the right side of this page. 

UPCOMING PUBLIC WORKSHOP

Here are the ways you can participate in the upcoming workshop. Materials will be the same at all events, so attending every event is not necessary. You will be able to submit comments online if you are unable to attend a live event.

Workshop Materials Posted
Workshop materials were posted to this webpage on January 27, 2026, and are listed in the Project Documents box below. Additional documents will be posted as they become available. 

IN-PERSON OPTION: 
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Manatee County Fairgrounds, Veterans Hall
1402 14th Avenue West
Palmetto, FL 34221
5 – 7 p.m. open house
View workshop materials, talk to the project team, and submit comments.

Thursday, February 5, 2026, Live Online Workshop - (Advanced registration required)
6 – 7 p.m.
 https://tinyurl.com/yc5h36aw You will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the workshop from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. (Note: Internet Explorer cannot be used for this event)
Review the materials online prior to the event. Participate in an online presentation and live question & answer session with the project team.

How to submit comments
You may submit comments in the following ways
-    During the live in-person event 
-    Online through the project website (use the contact box on the right)
-    Email the project manager, michelle.rutishauser@dot.state.fl.us
-    By mail: Florida Department of Transportation, District One, Attn: Bradenton-Palmetto Connector PD&E         Study, 801 N. Broadway Ave. MS 1-40, Bartow, FL 33830
You are able to provide written comment about the project at any time, but comments must be submitted by February 16, 2026, to be included in the record for this workshop.  You may also call the project manager (phone number to the right) if you have questions before you submit your comment.

If you need ADA or Translation Services:
Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator by phone at (863) 519-2287 or by email at cynthia.sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days before the live event you plan to attend.

The Florida Department of Transportation is required to comply with various non-discrimination laws and regulations, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Anyone wishing to express concern about Title VI should contact Cynthia Sykes at the information above.

Public Notices
This meeting will be advertised according to federal and state statutes in the following places:

• On this project website
• Email to public officials and interested parties
• Newsletter to local property owners near the project
• FDOT’s Public Notices website

What is a PD&E Study?
A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is an environmental and engineering process developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to determine social, economic, natural, and physical environmental effects associated with a proposed transportation improvement project. The process follows procedures set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and federal and state laws and regulations. It requires the combined efforts of professional engineers, planners, and scientists who collect and analyze project-related information to develop the best solution for transportation needs. An Important component of the process is public and agency coordination. The basics of a PD&E study include:

Data Collection
The first major work effort is the collection of all available data pertaining to the study corridors including existing community characteristics, areas of historic and cultural significance, population demographics, locations of wetlands and habitat for listed and protected species, potential contamination sites, existing and future land uses, and drainage patterns.

Alternatives Development and Analysis
Once the data collection is complete and the needs of each corridor have been determined; various improvement alternatives will be developed. For the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector project, these alternatives include alignments, typical sections, and other bridge features. The environmental impacts, social impacts and costs of these alternatives will be quantified and summarized in a comparative matrix. In a future design phase, other bridge design elements (lighting, shared-use paths, intersection connections, etc.) may be considered.

Final Acceptance
FDOT District One will submit the study to the FDOT Office of Environmental Management (OEM) for Location and Design Concept Acceptance after the study team receives and evaluates comments from the public hearing. The PD&E study phase of the project is completed once the project is accepted by OEM. The phases that follow PD&E study are design of the project, acquisition of right-of-way (if necessary) and construction of proposed improvements. 

FDOT is holding meetings with agencies and stakeholders throughout the study. These meetings will assist the project team with identifying issues, opportunities, and potential transportation solutions for the corridor. Throughout the study process, FDOT will provide presentations to various organizations, and interested citizens may also request a presentation to their group or organization.

FDOT welcomes and appreciates everyone's participation in the project. Meetings are developed in compliance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights act of 1964 and related statues. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022 and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.