SR 72 from east of I-75 to Lorraine Road is currently a two-lane undivided roadway with intermittent right-turn and left-turn lanes. This segment of SR 72 is classified as an urban minor arterial and plays an important role in the transportation network as it facilitates east-west movement within Sarasota County for both local and regional traffic including truck traffic.

This PD&E study will evaluate and document the engineering and environmental effects of proposed improvements needed to relieve existing traffic congestion along the project corridor and accommodate future travel demand from projected population and employment growth in the area. Improvements may include widening to a four-lane divided roadway as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations such as a shared-use path. FDOT is conducting this PD&E study in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal and state laws and regulations.

Need for the Project

The need for the project is based on the following:

• Future population and traffic growth
• Existing evacuation and route capacity
• Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) top 10 non-motorized crash corridor
• Lack of pedestrian and bicycle facilities

Project Funding

The PD&E Study phase has been funded in fiscal year 2022 under financial project identification number 444634-1-22-01. Design, Right-Of-Way, and Construction phases are currently not funded in the FDOT's Five-Year Work Program or the Sarasota/Manatee MPO's 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).

There will be two (2) public meetings held for this project. The public meetings have not been scheduled at this time. Please check back frequently for updates

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

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.