The John Ringling Causeway (S.R. 789) is a vital transportation link connecting downtown Sarasota with the  barrier islands of St. Armands, Lido Key, and Longboat Key. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is working with the City of Sarasota on improvements designed to reduce travel times between
downtown and the barrier islands. These improvements include the addition of dedicated bicycle and transit lanes on the bridge, drainage upgrades, and raising the seawall cap near Sunset Drive. Other project activities include resurfacing the roadway throughout the project corridor and the installation of new traffic signals at the intersections of Sunset Drive, Golden Gate Drive, and Bird Key Drive. The project also includes relocating palm trees and small shrubs from their current locations on the eastern area of the John Ringling Causeway to medians closer to St. Armands Circle.