The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is proposing improvements at intersections along U.S. 41 in Manatee County. The purpose of the project is to improve safety and operations, specifically at the Piney Point Road intersection. A traffic signal at U.S. 41 and Dock Street will be constructed as an alternate access for SeaPort Manatee. For U.S. 41 at Piney Point Road, a raised island and traffic separator will be constructed at the end of Piney Point Road to prohibit left turns from eastbound Piney Point Road onto northbound U.S. 41. Drivers wishing to go north will be required to turn right onto U.S. 41 and make a U-turn approximately 0.5 miles south of Piney Point Road at a newly signalized median opening. This newly signalized median opening will include additional asphalt necessary for semi-trucks to make the U-turns. The median opening at U.S. 41 and Piney Point Road will remain fully open, except for the raised island located on Piney Point Road.

FDOT, District One, invites you to the U.S. 41 from South of Dock Street to Piney Point Road Intersection Improvements Public Meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2026. The in-person public meeting (open house format) will begin at 5:00 p.m. The virtual meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. The public meeting is being held to present information about the proposed design and gather public input. FDOT will accept written comments during and after the meeting.

The Department has three ways to participate in the public meeting: by attending the live in-person event, by joining the live virtual event, or by viewing the materials online through the project website. The same information will be presented at both the live in-person and online meetings. All meeting materials will be available online by February 19, 2026. A copy of these materials will also be displayed at the in-person event. You may choose any combination of the options provided to review the materials and to submit your comments.

In-Person Option: Attend in person from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at SeaPort Manatee International Center, 1905 Intermodal Circle, Palmetto, FL 34221. Identification will not be required to attend the in-person meeting. Attendees who are not feeling well should not attend the in-person meeting.

Virtual Option: Attend virtually from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. You can register in advance at fdot.cc/US-41-at-Piney-Point Once registered, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting online. Please note, Internet Explorer cannot be used to register for or attend this webinar. Please review the meeting materials online through the project website prior to this event.

Website: Meeting materials will be available by February 19, 2026, in the Project Documents section below.

If you have any questions or comments about the meeting, please contact: FDOT Project Manager, Amber Albritton, by phone at (863) 519-2668. Comments about the project should be emailed to Amber.Albritton@dot.state.fl.us, or mailed to Amber Albritton, Florida Department of Transportation, 801 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830.

This meeting has been developed in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact District One Title VI Coordinator Cynthia Sykes at (863) 519-2287 or at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the open house. Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may use the Florida Relay Service (TDD: 1-800-955-8771 or Voice: 1-800-955-8770) to contact FDOT regarding this project.