On September 18, 2013, FDOT, in partnership with the Sarasota/Manatee MPO, hosted the Central Manatee Area Workshop at the Bradenton Area Convention Center to receive input from the communities and local governments about the study approach. Workshop participants, in consultation with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and FDOT, chose alternative analysis as the preferred early planning process to build on the 2009 Downtown Mobility Study.

The CMNAA study is identifying projects with the goal to improve mobility, safety, and accessibility on both sides of the Manatee River in the study area. The study is following and meets requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act process and is developing viable project alternatives that could be implemented immediately or could be advanced to future phases of development. The CMNAA study is based on a three phase process: Phase 1 – Purpose and Need, Phase 2 – Alternatives Analysis, and Phase 3 – Programming.

CMNAA Phase I (Purpose and Need) was completed in 2016. Click here to view the Phase I Executive Summary. This phase documented existing conditions and engaged the public to assist in development of goals and objectives for transportation improvements. In Phase 2 (Alternatives Analysis), public involvement is crucial in identifying needed safety improvements, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and short-, mid-, and long-term vehicular capacity and complete streets project alternatives. Phase 2 identifies transit strategies in the study area. Phase 3 identifies programming strategies for implementation of recommended improvements.

The objective of the CMNAA study is to develop transportation solutions that improve regional mobility, while providing better and safer access to jobs, schools, shopping, and social services for study area residents. The following tasks describe the approach for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the CMNAA study:

1. Develop an analysis methodology that is accepted by FDOT, local transportation partners, and other regulatory agencies.
2. Employ a context sensitive approach that seeks to maximize available opportunities to improve mobility, while being sensitive to the need for environmental stewardship, and equity across different modes of transportation.
3. Identify a multimodal system of projects that meet the purpose and need for the study, support stakeholder’s future mobility vision, and advance long-term economic and social development goals identified by the communities involved.
4. Prepare appropriate documentation for non-viable alternatives early, consistent with the requirements of NEPA, so future PD&E studies can focus on viable project alternatives that have received support from stakeholders.
5. Screen viable alternatives using the Department’s Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) tool to garner early feedback from reviewing regulatory agency partners. This engagement achieves early agency understanding of projects and helps identify future levels of effort required for advancement.

Public involvement is a very important part of the Central Manatee Network Alternatives Analysis (CMNAA) Study. The success of any transportation action depends on a successful public outreach effort. FDOT is interested in your ideas, suggestions and knowledge of the study area, and wants to provide study information in ways that are informative, easy to understand, easy to use, and easily accessible. We will accomplish this by sharing information on this website, providing study surveys, distributing study newsletters and fact sheets, attending local events and making presentations to small groups, organizations, and local governments. Your feedback will help us identify issues of concern and potential solutions within the CMNAA study area.

The calendar on this website will show the dates, times and locations of meetings, local events and presentations where FDOT staff will be available to provide study information and take your comments. Interested citizens may request a presentation to their group or organization by clicking on Contact Us.