The combination of all improvements proposed under the Build Alternative serves to meet the project's purpose and need of providing additional capacity for north-south traffic and improving safety for travelers using the corridor.
Two proposed express are provided in the US 301 median via an elevated structure that begins just west of 9th St East. The elevated structure follows US 301 through a sweeping curve near 1st St, where US 301 joins US 41. North of the curve, the elevated structure carrying the proposed express lanes remains in the roadway median to westbound SR 64. The number and arrangement of existing general-use lanes does not change; however, US 41 north of the US 301 junction would be reconstructed with a wider median to accommodate the elevated structure carrying the proposed express lanes. The proposed design speed for the at-grade roadway varies from 40 mph to 45 mph. Along US 301 the design speed is 45 mph for both the at-grade and elevated proposed express lanes. The proposed design speed decreases to 40 mph for the at-grade and elevated US 41 from 13th Ave East to westbound SR 64. North of the westbound SR 64, the design speed returns to 45 mph to north of 25th St East. The proposed design speed for the elevated proposed express lanes is 45 mph throughout the project limits. A conceptual view of the proposed express lanes elevated over the general-use lanes is shown in Figure 5-2.
Figure 5-2 – Proposed Express Lanes and Travel Lanes South of Manatee River
The proposed express lanes transition from an elevated structure to match the elevation of the general-use lanes, simplifying construction and reducing costs for the Manatee River crossing.
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