I-75 PD&E Study

Project Information

The I-75 PD&E study is being conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in conjunction with Manatee County and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).The Study will document information necessary for FDOT to reach a decision on the type, design and location of improvements to I-75 within Manatee County.

Based on long range planning, projected population and employment growth, and projected traffic volumes, the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has made this project a priority in Manatee County. The MPO’s current 2030 Needs Assessment shows a demand for 10-lanes on I-75 from University Parkway to the Hillsborough County Line. MPO travel demand estimates indicate that I-75 2030 daily traffic volumes will range between 140,000 and 90,000 within Manatee County. During preliminary planning for this project through the FDOT’s Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) screening process, concerns were raised by agencies regarding various potential impacts to the environment. Specific agreements with the FDOT have been made to include the following work in the project scope.

• A Level 1 Contamination Screening Evaluation Report will be completed.

• FDOT will coordinate with Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to obtain the latest data on ongoing floodplain studies.

• FDOT will coordinate with the United States Coast Guard regarding a bridge permit amendment for the Manatee River.

• FDOT will develop Determinations of Applicability for any potential Section 4(f) protected resources.

The 2030 Financially Feasible Long Range Transportation Plan indicates that I-75 has been designated as part of the State of Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), due to its critical role in both the regional and state-wide economy. I-75 also plays an important role in Manatee County and the west coast of Florida’s emergency evacuation plans. The interstate provides crucial access to northbound evacuation routes for the Gulf Coast communities.