The proposed improvements associated with the Preferred Alternative include widening the roadway from four to six general purpose lanes and adding two elevated proposed express lanes supported by median piers. Additional improvements include drainage upgrades and enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including sidewalks south of the DeSoto Bridge and shared use paths north of the DeSoto Bridge. In addition to the Preferred Alternative, due to funding constraints and the potential need for the elevated lanes of the Preferred Alternative to be tolled, an Interim Improvement is proposed between westbound SR 64 and US 301. This Interim Improvement would widen the roadway from four to six lanes and remove and replace the DeSoto Bridge with six travel lanes and a shared use path on both sides. The Interim Improvements are 1.7 miles of the total project length and do not include the elevated proposed express lanes.

Analysis of the Preferred Alternative does not assume any of the Interim Improvements are constructed. Instead, the study compares the Preferred Alternative to the existing/No-Build condition. This PD&E study evaluates the No-Build alternative and the Preferred Alternative. However, this study also includes information on the Interim Improvements to clearly quantify impacts of both Preferred Alternative and Interim Improvements. The Preferred Improvement and Interim Improvement limits are shown in Figure 1-2.

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