The CSX Railroad mainline track runs near the project area and intersects with the project limits. To the west of 15th Street East, there is a bridge where the railroad crosses underneath to connect to the Tropicana factory. Traveling west and onto US 41, there is an at-grade crossing south of 13th Ave East, RR#624712-B. The railroad continues a parallel route north until the track diverges south of 10th St West. One track continues north, while the other travels east, crossing under US 41 near 12th St Court West.
The railroad passes beneath Bridge 130008. Bridge 130008 is located where US 41 is carried over the CSX Railroad track, or the Florida Power & Light Company (short line track).
Stormwater runoff along the project limits is collected through a combination of grass medians and swales, ditches, culverts, and a concrete gutter system with curb and pavement inlets. Cross drains are intermittently located along the project. The collected stormwater runoff is discharged and conveyed to surrounding stormwater ponds/retention areas as well as to nearby ditches, canals, and tributaries associated with the City of Bradenton Watershed, including the Manatee River, Braden River, Terra Ceia Bay, and Gap Creek. Stormwater on the existing bridge structure is discharged directly into the Manatee River.
There is consistent lighting throughout the corridor, including the DeSoto Bridge. The light poles are Drop Glass GPS GE Cobra Head and are owned by FDOT District 1.
A maintenance agreement between FDOT and Manatee County, executed in June 2020, gives Manatee County, as a maintaining agency, the responsibility to maintain the State highway lighting. The lighting within the project study area is covered under this agreement.
Several utilities are located within the project limits, including aerial power lines, underground fiber optic cable, water distribution, sanitary and storm sewers, and natural gas distribution. The subaqueous waterline (owned and operated by Manatee County) is a critical part of the County's potable water distribution system, runs parallel to the bridge, and will be replaced. It is anticipated that utility relocations will be required based on location and depth. Coordination with utility owners will occur during the design phase to finalize relocation agreements and schedules. A Utilities Assessment Package (UAP) dated May 2025 is included in the project file. Existing utilities are listed in Table 2-8.
Page | 30