In-Person: Beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026

Virtual: Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026

 LONGBOAT KEY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing for the State Road (S.R.) 789 (Longboat Key) Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study from North Shore Road to Coquina Park Entrance in Manatee County.

This study will evaluate and document the benefits, costs, and impacts of replacing the existing S.R. 789 Bridge over Longboat Pass, with consideration of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Project benefits associated with the preferred alternative could include maintenance of multi-modal access with upgraded bicycle and pedestrian facilities, improved emergency evacuation and emergency response times, uninterrupted vehicular and marine traffic, reduction in long-term operating and maintenance costs and improved safety for all users.

This hearing is being conducted to present the preferred alternative and all analysis to date, as well as to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. You can participate live online or in-person. The information presented during either format will be the same and all attendees will have opportunity to comment.  

Attend the public hearing

In-person Option – March 12, 2026
Christ Church of Longboat Key
6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr 

Longboat Key, FL 34228                     
Anytime between 5 – 6:00 p.m. Open house
6:00 p.m. Formal presentation and comment

Virtual Option – March 17, 2026
Register in advance: https://tinyurl.com/SR789LBK

5:30 p.m. Project team available for discussion

5:45 p.m. How to submit comments

6:00 p.m. Formal presentation and comment
Please review the materials on project webpage

before attending:

https://www.swflroads.com/project/436676-1.       
Materials will be posted by Thursday, March 5, 2026.

If you are unable to attend the hearing, comments can also be provided through the project webpage (https://www.swflroads.com/project/436676-1) or by email    (David.Turley@dot.state.fl.us) or mail (FDOT District One, Attn: David Turley, 801 N. Broadway Avenue, MS 1-40, Bartow, FL 33830). While comments about the project are accepted at any time, they must be received or postmarked by Monday, March 23, 2026, to be included in the formal hearing record. All comments are weighted equally. Questions can be answered by calling the FDOT project manager David Turley at (863) 519-2255.

A summary of the hearing will be available on the webpage approximately 30 days following the close of the comment period.

Project documents will be available for public viewing from February 18, 2026, to March 23, 2026, at Tingley Library, 111 2nd St N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 and at FDOT Manatee Operations Center, 14000 FL-64, Bradenton, FL 34212. They will also be available on the project webpage.

The proposed improvements are adjacent to the Coquina Bayside Park/Boat Ramp. As proposed, the project will impact approximately 0.23 acres of property from this recreation area. As part of the project development process and in accordance with Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, the FDOT is seeking comments from the public concerning the effects of the project on the activities, features and attributes of this recreation area. FDOT intends to make a programmatic Section 4(f) impact determination for this resource.

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 public hearing.

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.

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 www.swflroads.com | X: @MyFDOT_SWFL | Facebook: @MyFDOTSWFL

The Florida Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.