CORTEZ – New traffic lights recently installed on Cortez Road have unexpectedly caught some drivers off-guard. The new traffic control signals are located just east of the West Manatee Fire Rescue Station 2 and near the entrance to the Cortez Clam Factory restaurant.
The new traffic signals are located at the Cortez Road and Royal Palm Drive intersection. Cortez Road, also known as State Road 684, falls under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). A 2024 FDOT traffic study cited the following benefits of installing a traffic light at that location:
• Improved safety
• Reduction in total crashes
• Improved intersection awareness
• Improved pedestrian safety
• Nearest signalized pedestrian crossing is nearly one mile away
• Visually impaired pedestrians in the area
• Signal will provide traffic gaps and safer entry to SR 684 from adjacent side streets
• Mitigate side street-related crashes immediately adjacent to Royal Palm Drive.
The 2024 FDOT traffic study outlines crashes that occurred in the area between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2023. During that period, there were 25 crashes in that area, four of which were fatal or incapacitating.
This 2024 FDOT traffic study diagram outlines where traffic accidents occurred in that area between 2019 and 2023. – FDOT | Submitted
BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County and Bradenton Beach officials discussed lengthening the eastbound merge lane on Cortez Road to improve traffic flow at the intersection of Cortez Road and Gulf Drive at a June 18 joint meeting.
“The state owns the property and from informal discussions we’ve had with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation), they don’t have the money for it, but if the city, county, private people could work together to at least acquire the land or easements, the state could allow the city or county to work on improvements in that right of way or accept it for maintenance later,” Manatee County Deputy Director of Public Works Clarke Davis said.
“If the city were receptive to trying to make that right turn lane longer, leading up to that point, it would need a little bit of frontage of all the properties leading up to it on Gulf Drive,” he said. “If all the pieces fell the right way, there should be a way to lengthen that turn lane by at least a couple hundred feet which might provide some relief for traffic at that intersection.”
Davis said such a project would require the city’s support.
“I would like to comment on the intersection of Cortez and Gulf and the idea of possible eminent domain or condemnation,” Mayor John Chappie said. “The city commission discussed this at our last meeting and we’re not commenting with regard to that until the Complete Streets Project is complete and also the Anna Maria Island Barrier Island Study to see what they come up with and we’ll decide our position.”
Chappie added, “I will tell you over the decades I’ve been around, the city commission has always been in opposition to eminent domain on anybody’s property.”
Chappie said growth on the mainland is contributing to traffic congestion on Anna Maria Island.
“I think we need to pay more attention not just what’s happening on the Island, but on the mainland, in particular with what we’re going to be facing pretty quick at the corner of 75th and Cortez Road and the 8,000 units, there’s a lot going in there and a lot of people are going to want to be coming down Cortez Road to go to the beach,” he said. “I’m hopeful that someone will come up with some ideas to reduce some of the traffic and the ability for those people that live there to be able to come out to the Island.”
Bradenton Beach Commissioner Ralph Cole suggested adding slow-speed vehicle lanes to Cortez Road and Manatee Avenue to accommodate those on golf carts and electric bikes.
“Cortez Road is wide enough that you could have a slow-speed vehicle lane going all the way up to 75th Street so that people could come from in town in their low speed vehicles and make it all the way down to the Island,” Cole said. “You could also incorporate pull-over spots if we really thought about it, if you’re driving down Gulf and holding traffic up and the bike lane is perfectly clear you could slide over and let traffic pass you.”
“Everybody is always trying to come up with a traffic solution for the island,” he said. “It’s probably one of the best ones and you could do it on Manatee Avenue too. Electric vehicles are evolving and we need to adapt. We’ve got the opportunity right now. You’re building a bridge and you’re widening the road. Now’s the time.”
CORTEZ – The Cortez Bridge utility relocation project will necessitate detours and closures to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, according to an update from Manatee County officials.
East of the Cortez Bridge, a water main will continue to be installed on the north side of Cortez Road between the area of 127th Street West and 124th Court West. To accommodate this activity, the north shoulder of 124th Court West will remain closed through summer.
Beginning in late April and continuing through early summer, 127th Street West will be closed to vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic at Cortez Road West north to 126th Street West as the contractor installs the pipe. The closure and detour will remain in effect 24/7 until work in this area is complete.
Regular construction activities will take place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are asked to remain mindful of construction crews, equipment, materials and traffic patterns when traveling in and near the construction areas. Construction schedules and activities are subject to change due to weather.
The sidewalk and bike lane on the south side of Cortez Road West east of the Cortez Bridge will remain closed between 119th Street West and Avenue B with a detour in place to direct pedestrians and bicyclists. 124th Street West, 124th Street Court West, 125th Court West, Central Avenue, and Avenue A will be closed at Cortez Road West with detours in place to direct motorists.
During active construction, travelers may also experience temporary/intermittent lane closures and flagging operations on the eastbound and westbound lanes of Cortez Road West to allow for the moving and delivery of construction materials and equipment. The sidewalk and eastbound merge lane on the south side of Cortez Road West west of the Cortez Bridge will be closed with detour signs in place.
BRADENTON BEACH – City officials would like to remove the Australian pines along the west side of the Cortez Road/Gulf Drive intersection.
The pines appear to be primarily located on residential property at 402 Gulf Drive N., owned by Michael and Nadya Kelly. The Kellys live in Canada and are longtime seasonal visitors to Bradenton Beach since purchasing the beachfront property in 1989. Some of the Australian pines in question may be located in the state-owned Gulf Drive right of way.
City Commissioner Jan Vosburgh requested the issue be addressed during the Wednesday, June 2 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting. Vosburgh is concerned the pines could topple during a major storm and block the primary evacuation and re-entry route for the city.
“I think those Australian pine trees, as you come down Cortez Bridge, are a real eyesore. Most importantly, I think it’s very dangerous. I’ve been talking about this for quite a few years. They should be removed,” Vosburgh said.
Vosburgh again suggested seeking state condemnation of the residential structure or invoking eminent domain rights.
“I am familiar with the condemnation of property. I think we should work very hard at getting rid of that house because that is a terrible eyesore and it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better,” Vosburgh said.
Michael and Nadya Kelly own the residential property at 402 Gulf Drive N. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Commissioner Jake Spooner asked if anyone with the city has looked into what could possibly be done regarding the removal of the Australian pines. He also asked whether anyone from the city has researched how far the state right of way extends westward toward the Kellys’ property.
CRA member Ed Chiles owns the Beach House restaurant property directly south of the Kellys’ property. For his Mar Vista Dockside restaurant in Longboat Key, he previously purchased Australian pine benches designed by Sarasota architect Barron Schimberg and manufactured from fallen Australian pines. Earlier this year, the CRA paid for four Australian pine benches to installed in the pocket park in front of the Bradenton Beach Post Office.
“Australian pines are invasive. They have been designated by the state as invasive – that they shall be taken out, not can be. They have an acid mass that kills all the bio-diversity underneath them. Jan could not be more right. Those trees are a tremendous hazard right at the most important intersection in the city of Bradenton Beach. When the big storm hits, they’re going over and that’s going to be a real impediment when our public service people are the only people out here trying to saw through all of that,” Chiles said.
City officials believe these Australian pines at the Cortez Road/Gulf Drive intersection pose a threat to public safety. – Joe Hendricks
“Conversely, there is tremendous opportunity there. That is the gateway to Bradenton Beach. Whether it’s condemnation, a (traffic) circle there or an icon there, it’s a tremendous opportunity and I thank you for bringing it up,” Chiles said.
“I know somebody that will take those trees, dry them out and make furniture out of them,” he added.
In October 2019, City Engineer Lynn Burnett told the city commission the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) intends to construct a roundabout at the intersection in conjunction with the construction of the new Cortez Bridge that’s expected to begin in 2026.
In April, Burnett presented the commission with her final plans for an FDOT-funded beautification and landscaping project that calls for the future removal of several Australian pines along Gulf Drive North. Those plans do not include the Kelly property.
Wednesday’s discussion concluded with the commission directing Public Works Manager Tom Woodard to get cost estimates for the removal of the Australian pines located on the Kellys’ property and/or the state right of way.
The Sun was unable to reach the Kellys, who have not been able to return to Bradenton Beach from Canada due to the pandemic, according to Mayor John Chappie.
BRADENTON BEACH – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to build a roundabout at Cortez Road and Gulf Drive will remain on hold until officials decide where the span of the new Cortez Bridge will touch down.
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, City Engineer Lynn Burnett provided the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) with a project update. Burnett said FDOT typically uses a standard-sized footprint when designing a roundabout but has the capacity to design a smaller roundabout.
“They have the ability to do a smaller footprint that doesn’t meet their DOT design standards. Because of the unique nature of the barrier island, they are going to redo their PDE (Project Development and Environment study) based on that footprint and reassess what right of way needs would be involved,” Burnett said.
Burnett said FDOT officials originally considered fast-tracking the roundabout, but concerns arose about installing it at a cost of more than $1 million without knowing exactly where the touchdown span for the new Cortez Bridge will be when that bridge is built.
Burnett said FDOT officials decided it didn’t make sense to do a “throwaway roundabout” now when they could wait a couple of years to design a roundabout based on the known bridge dimensions.
“That was their recommendation, which I fully support. It doesn’t make sense to start a two-year construct project and wreak havoc on this Island just to turn around and do it again,” Burnett said.
Burnett said FDOT officials might look at minor operational improvements to help address safety and congestion concerns at that intersection in the meantime.
“I want the public to know there’s going to be a lot of input from our residents and visitors here,” CRA member and Mayor John Chappie said of the roundabout design process.
“I also have talked to our police chief with regards to a roundabout and he has some concerns. Our police department needs to be part of this conversation. They are fully aware of the issues that have come up in Clearwater,” Chappie said.
When it opened in 1999, the Clearwater Beach roundabout originally included an elevated fountain that was later removed because it obstructed drivers’ vision and contributed to accidents. Over the years, that roundabout has been modified to improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety.
Current realities
Chappie acknowledged the realities of living on a popular barrier island.
“No matter what you design and put in there, there’s going to be times – mostly during season or holidays – when it’s not going to be able to handle the capacity. So, there’s always going to be backup. With their PDE, they’ll be able to determine through their data what design has less backup during the high peak times,” Chappie said.
CRA chair Ralph Cole shared similar sentiments.
“Everybody wants to fix a traffic problem – make it wider, make it bigger. We’ve only got a five-pound sack here, so we can only stick so many potatoes in it. Drive out to Lakewood Ranch at rush hour and you’re in six lanes of traffic sitting there at a five-minute stoplight. The more accessible you make it, the more people are going to come,” Cole said.
“You almost have to accept the fact that you live on a barrier island. Everybody wants to come to it. Get used to it. Plan your time of attack when you go into town. That’s just the way it is,” Cole said.
Burnett said those who participated in the recent FDOT discussion agreed that traffic congestion cannot be eliminated 100% of the time at that intersection.
“There will be those 20,000 people on this Island all trying to get off at the same time and you just have to be patient. However, if 80% of the time you can reduce the delays and the length of time it takes, you’re increasing everyone’s quality of life,” Burnett said.
BRADENTON – Street ownership and property rights are the subjects of a lawsuit the owners of Fire & Stone Brick Oven Pizzeria have filed against Manatee County.
In May, attorney John Colton filed the lawsuit on behalf of business owners and property owners Radka and Peter Ross. The lawsuit pertains to their commercial property at the corner of Cortez Road West and 106th Street West.
The lawsuit alleges the county improperly paved the intersection in a manner that impedes on the Ross property and deprives them of the use of a portion of the property – some of which includes the still-in-progress outdoor dining area and the parking spaces along the west side of the building.
According to the lawsuit complaint, the land now known as the Ross property was platted in 1957 and joined the following year by several other properties platted as part of the Battersby subdivision. That platting did not include the county accepting ownership of the street.
The complaint states the county did not build Laurabet Drive, which is now known as 106th Street West.
In 1976, the county arranged for the property owners to pay for road improvements as part of a county participation project that included assessments levied on them to cover their street maintenance costs.
Before the lawsuit was filed, Peter Ross said the anticipated lawsuit was partially inspired by concerns that the county plans to claim ownership of 106th Street West after maintaining it for seven years.
While touring the Fire & Stone property, Ross pointed out the angled intersection where Cortez Road and 106th Street West converge. He said that end of the street should have been located several feet to the west, which would have avoided the Fire & Stone property but impinge on the property across the street.
The complaint says the county paved portions of the street in November 2011, which means the seven-year maintenance threshold and ownership transfer could occur this November.
The complaint alleges the county was aware that the existing roadway veered to the east and impinged approximately seven feet onto the Fire & Stone property along 106th Street West. The complaint also alleges the county knowingly paved areas it had no right to pave.
“Prior to Nov. 30, 2011, the county did not maintain 106th Street. All maintenance prior to that date was done by and/or paid for by the residents of 106th Street and not by the county. County has not maintained 106th Street West for more than seven years. Even if it had maintained 106 Street West for more than seven years, the county is estopped from asserting ownership by its prior representation disavowing acceptance of 106th Street West for maintenance purposes,” the complaint says regarding the previous platting.
“Plaintiff respectfully requests this court issue a decree ordering county to cease and desist maintenance or occupation of 106th Street West and to further decree county has obtained no interest in the said property,” the complaint says.
The plaintiffs are asking the 12th Judicial Circuit Court to render a declaratory judgment that determines the ownership of the property and the location of any existing property easements. They are requesting a determination that their title to the property is superior to the county’s and seeking a judgment awarding them exclusive possession of the property in question.
The complaint alleges the county’s actions constitute a taking of a portion of private property that is subjecting them to the material and substantial deprivation of the beneficial use of their property.
County response
When asked about the potential lawsuit in April, County Attorney Mickey Palmer said, “This matter has been dealt with in great detail, and my office has no present reason to believe that staff’s approach is flawed in any way.”
After the lawsuit was filed, Palmer said, “We are disappointed that the property owners have chosen to file a lawsuit. Nevertheless, on behalf of the citizens of Manatee County, the Office of the County Attorney will aggressively defend the lawsuit.”
Additional concerns
When discussing these issues before the lawsuit was filed, Ross mentioned additional concerns he and some of his neighbors have. Ross and others do not feel their private street should be used as a primary access road for residents of the adjacent Paradise Bay Estates mobile home community.
Signs like this have appeared alongside 106th Street West. The intersection of Cortez Road and 106th Street West is now the subject of a lawsuit. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
A recent trip down the street revealed several handwritten signs that said, “Private drive for 106th residents.”
Resident Gina Rau said some members of the Paradise Bay Estates board of directors have tried to prevent her and others from using the Paradise Bay Estates boat ramp that provides them access to Sarasota Bay. Rau believes this is a violation of their riparian rights. Efforts to contact Paradise Bay Estates board members about these concerns proved unsuccessful.
CORTEZ – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will construct interim intersection improvements at State Road 684/Cortez Road and 119th Street West this month.
This project was chosen earlier this year from three other options to improve safety and traffic flow at the intersection.
Interim improvements include extending the existing median east of 119th Street West to 119th Street West; eliminating eastbound Cortez Road to northbound 119th Street West movement; installing improved crosswalks on Cortez Road and 119th Street West; and modifying the traffic signal to a continual green-phase for eastbound Cortez Road at 119th Street West, unless a pedestrian activates the signal to cross Cortez Road.
Construction will begin late this month and is anticipated to be complete by the end of the year, weather permitting. Motorists may expect lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. FDOT urges motorists to stay alert for construction crews.
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