Figure 5-1 – MCAT Transit Service
As a result of the ACER and the ETDM screening, improvements to only corridor A are being evaluated in this study and is studied as the Build Alternative in this PD&E study. During the public workshop in February 2026, the department eliminated corridor B and corridor D from further analysis due to traffic analysis, cultural impacts, environmental impacts, and relocation impacts resulted. The build Alternative reduces impacts while accomplishing the study's purpose & need. The Build Alternative includes adding two uninterrupted travel lanes to US 301 and US 41 between 9th St East in Bradenton and north of 25th St East in Palmetto. The uninterrupted travel lanes, or proposed express lanes, are entirely separate from the existing general-use lanes and do not intersect with any roadways within the project limits. By restricting access to the proposed express lanes only at the project endpoints, they can provide maximum roadway capacity and north-south traffic flow efficiency.
The Build Alternative also includes:
Expanding the number of general-use lanes from four to six on US 41 between westbound SR 64 and north of 25th Street East
Replacing the DeSoto Bridge over the Manatee River
Providing stormwater management facilities and floodplain compensation sites
Providing shared use paths for pedestrians and bicyclists
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