VENICE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis joined Sarasota County leaders on Friday to cut the ribbon on a long‑awaited $61 million expansion of River Road. The project, now six lanes wide between U.S. 41 and Interstate 75, is expected to ease daily commutes and provide a critical detour route for hurricane evacuations.
Local impact and funding
The state stepped in after the COVID‑19 pandemic to help fund and accelerate the project, partnering with Sarasota County to split the total cost. County officials transferred River Road to the state, allowing both levels of government to share the financial burden.
“I just want people to get from point A to point B and reduce traffic wherever we can,” Governor DeSantis said. “I didn’t believe in building trains. That doesn’t work in Florida. You must look to see where you need wider roads and additional roads. You just need to do that.”
Benefits for commuters and emergency responders
The widened corridor triples the road’s capacity, offering relief to commuters traveling between Venice, North Port, Englewood and Charlotte County. Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman highlighted the route’s importance during storm evacuations, noting that the six‑lane stretch will allow faster movement of residents out of flood‑prone areas.
“All those areas down there use this road to go to work and, more importantly, to get to the interstate if we have a hurricane,” Sheriff Hoffman explained. “We will open all six lanes north and be able to move traffic out of the troubled areas faster than we have ever been able to before.”
Infrastructure upgrades and safety features
Beyond adding three new lanes in each direction, crews installed 10‑foot multi‑use paths for pedestrians and cyclists, upgraded lighting, and introduced advanced crosswalk technology and speed‑monitoring systems. To protect local wildlife, two dedicated underpasses were built, allowing deer, raccoons and other animals to cross safely beneath the highway.
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue praised the project as a prime example of partnership and forward‑thinking. He recalled historic flooding of the Myakka River after Hurricane Ian, which underscored River Road’s role as a vital detour route.
“If you remember, we had historic flooding of the Myakka River. River Road is the last exit before you cross that bridge. We needed a detour route. This project makes that possible for future hurricanes,” Perdue said.
Enforcement and next steps
Sheriff Hoffman warned drivers that law‑enforcement will strictly enforce speed limits on the newly paved stretch. “This is fresh blacktop, about seven miles straight. We are already seeing trouble with people speeding,” he noted, adding that traffic officers will be regularly monitoring the corridor.
The project marks the culmination of more than two decades of planning. With construction complete, local officials anticipate smoother daily travel, enhanced safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and a reliable evacuation corridor for future storms.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
