UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING – THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025

FDOT invites you to an upcoming public hearing. Technical documents are now available (see the Project Documents box below).

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).

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING

The purpose of this hearing is to share the alternatives and analysis completed to date, and to provide the public an opportunity to comment for the official hearing record. Here are the ways you can participate in the upcoming hearing.

June 5, 2025 Technical Documents Posted

An online copy of the project technical documents is currently available in the Project Documents box below, which are also available through July 7, 2025, at: Gulf Gate Public Library, 7112 Curtiss Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231 and UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34241.

June 19, 2025 Hearing Materials Posted

View all the hearing materials in the Project Documents box below. You will be able to submit comments online if you are unable to attend a live event.

June 26, 2025 Hearing – In-Person and Online

In-Person

Covenant Mennonite Fellowship
5420 Ashton Road, Sarasota, FL 34233

5 – 6 p.m. open house (View hearing materials and talk to the team)

6 p.m. formal hearing (Give spoken comment during the formal hearing event)

OR

Online

fdot.cc/SR72_Public_Hearing_Registration (Advanced registration required)

5:45 – 6 p.m. learn how to make comments online

6 p.m. view a live broadcast of the in-person event
You will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the hearing from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. (Note: Internet Explorer cannot be used for this event)

Review the materials online prior to the event. Remotely view the in-person presentation and provide spoken comment during the formal hearing.

How to submit comments

You may submit comments in the following ways

-        Spoken comment during the live event (online or in-person location)

-        Online through the project webpage (use the contact box on the right)

-        Email the project manager (steven.andrews@dot.state.fl.us)

-        By mail: FDOT District One

Attn: Steven A. Andrews

801 N. Broadway Avenue

Bartow, FL 33830

You can provide written comment about the project at any time, but comments must be submitted by July 7, 2025, to be included in the record for this hearing. 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 webpage
Email to public officials and interested parties
Newsletter to local property owners near the project