Sarasota County has moved forward with a series of capital improvement projects to address damage to Manasota Key Road caused by recent hurricanes, including the construction of a temporary access road and a long-term redesign focused on erosion control and storm resilience.
County officials said a temporary access road is currently under construction to restore limited access to the area. The project will provide a critical connection while plans for a permanent reconstruction are developed.
The more extensive permanent redesign is anticipated to take at least four years and aims to address chronic erosion and storm vulnerability that have plagued the area. Sarasota County is coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and exploring additional funding sources to support the long-term effort.
Environmental considerations are also playing a role in project timing. Officials confirmed that sea turtles have laid nests along the impacted stretch of beach, and no construction on the permanent redesign will begin until 60 days after the last turtle nest has been documented. Based on current nesting patterns, work could begin in October.
”This area is environmentally sensitive and heavily used by wildlife, especially during turtle nesting season,” the county stated. ”We are committed to protecting these resources while restoring safe public access.”
Damage to Manasota Key Road has impacted residents and visitors alike, forcing detours and restricting access to popular locations such as Blind Pass Beach. The temporary road is intended to ease those disruptions while long-term solutions are implemented.
In June, Sarasota County issued a solicitation for engineering design services for the permanent rebuild, with deadlines for questions and submissions in July. While no firm start date has been announced for construction, the design phase marks a significant step forward. For ongoing updates, residents are encouraged to visit Sarasota County’s Capital Projects website. Specific questions can be directed to the county by calling 311.
