EMERGENCY INFORMATION FDOT Emergency Travel Alert: For information on the current situation, please visit the following page - Alerts.

This article has been archived and is only available for historical reference.

Bartow, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is hosting a kickoff meeting for the DeSoto Bridge Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study (FPID 442630-1) from SR 64 (Manatee Ave. E.) to Haben Blvd. in Manatee County. The kickoff meeting is being held to present information about the study and provide the opportunity for the public to offer feedback.

You can participate in the kickoff meeting live online or in-person. The same materials will be displayed at both the in-person and online events, and will also be posted by Monday, May 22 on the project website.

IN-PERSON OPTION: Attend the in-person kickoff meeting on Tuesday, May 23, at Bradenton Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, FL 34221. Visit the in-person meeting any time between 5 and 7 p.m. to view the project displays and speak with project team members and submit comments or questions.

LIVE ONLINE OPTION: Attend virtually on Thursday, May 25, at 5:00 p.m. This event will include a viewing of the project exhibits and a live question-and-answer component with the project team. Meeting materials will be posted to the project webpage swflroads.com/project/442630-1 by Monday, May 22, 2023. Please review the materials before attending the virtual event. Register in advance by visiting  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2199721875706127703 or on the project website. Once registered, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the workshop online. Please note, Internet Explorer cannot be used to register or attend this event.

WEBSITE: View all materials online at swflroads.com/project/442630-1. Comments can be provided through the project webpage and questions answered by calling the FDOT project manager Steven Andrews at (863) 519-2270.

FDOT is sending notices to property owners, business owners, interested persons and organizations within 300 feet of the project to provide the opportunity to give comments to FDOT regarding this project.

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator at (863) 519-2287, or email at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the kickoff meeting.

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