The Sarasota County Commission will hold a public hearing later this month on a proposal to extend Manasota Beach Road toward North Port.
The hearing is set for 9 a.m., August 27, in the County Commission Chambers at 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Commissioners will consider an unsolicited public-private partnership proposal under Florida Statute 336.71 to design, permit, and construct a new segment of the road.
The proposed project would run about 2.7 miles from roughly a half-mile east of State Road 776 eastward to the city limits of North Port. According to county maps, the extension would be built in two segments: 0.6 miles to connect from the existing Manasota Beach Road, and another 2.1 miles extending into undeveloped land toward North Port. The route passes through areas of wetlands, residential neighborhoods, and county-owned land.
A new engineering estimate prepared for the county puts the project cost at $15.7 million, including a 30% contingency. Major expenses include $2.73 million for underground pipe culverts, $2.31 million for embankment work, $1.26 million for mobilization, and more than $1 million for asphalt paving. Other costs cover stormwater inlets, sidewalks, sod, signage, landscaping, a mid-block crosswalk, tree removal, and traffic safety features.
Public comments will be allowed, but speakers will be limited to five minutes each, in accordance with county rules. The commission chair may adjust time limits to ensure everyone has a chance to speak.
Residents should note that the county will not provide a court reporter for the meeting. Anyone planning to appeal a commission decision will need to arrange for their own verbatim record of the proceedings.
