use lanes from four to six lanes, implementing stormwater management facilities and floodplain compensation sites compatible with the Build Alternative, and installing a shared-use path on both sides of US 41.

The length of the roadway approach north of the bridge is greater than that on the south because it is influenced by multiple intersections, including the unsignalized intersection serving the Palmetto Estuary Preserve, and the signalized intersections at 1st Street East, Haben Boulevard, and 7th Street East. The six general-use lanes include a median wide enough to accommodate an elevated structure for future proposed express lanes when the Build Alternative is constructed. The conceptual lane arrangements for the Interim Improvements north of the Manatee River are shown in Figure 7-3.

Proposed Right-of-Way

The access management classifications for the Build Alternative include class 3, class 6, and class 7, and for the Interim Improvements, class 3. The barrier median included with the proposed express lanes under the Preferred Alternative with the raised median and Interim Improvements provides a safety measure that is consistent with the project's purpose and need by reducing the potential for head-on crashes, and thereby the severity of crashes, and confining turning movement conflicts to intersection locations and at separate turn lanes. The Preferred Alternative does not change access to abutting properties or to existing roadways.

The proposed project is intended to be consistent with current design standards; additional right-of-way is anticipated to accommodate elements such as shoulders, stormwater management facilities, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. As a result, it will displace a few residences, businesses, or other uses. The preferred Alternative would potentially impact a total of 100 parcels, consisting primarily of commercial and residential land uses, as well as public, municipal,

Page | 71