General Traffic News and Information

Observer Article:  Surprise roundabout lane closure outrages Sarasota, Longboat

The City experienced what can happen when lanes are closed for people leaving the barrier islands.  It wasn't a remarkable day, and it wasn't a particularly busy time of year, but traffic backed up from downtown to past the Longboat Publix when roundabout construction required the closure of all but one eastbound lane.  There was no forewarning, and apparently people missed flights and medical appointments, and the phones at City Hall and the police department were ringing off the hook with people calling in to complain. 

In this Sarasota Magazine article, community leader Jon Thaxton responds to this question:  Can we avoid the same fate as Fort Lauderdale?  His response:

“It’s too late. It already has happened—it just hasn’t been built yet. We have duplicated Fort Lauderdale in our collective comprehensive plans. It’s all approved. The only difference is Fort Lauderdale is largely built and ours is approved and waiting to be built. Get used to it. People complain about the traffic today. You haven’t even seen any traffic compared to what you’re going to see.”

City email with police data regarding traffic accidents on St. Armands.

Observer article:  Traffic study points way toward solutions for Longboat congestion

Observer article:  Data shows efficiency of Gulfstream roundabout at peak hours

Some factors are out of the control of the roundabout and may slow down traffic and cause frustration, he said, like heavy pedestrian traffic at St. Armands Circle or drawbridge openings.

City Commission Meeting:  The City Commission approved the development of a citywide Traffic Calming Plan as part of the FY2024-2025 Annual Adopted Budget.  This plan kicked-off in February 2025 with a town hall meeting to listen to the community and their concerns regarding speeding in the City of Sarasota. Since then, the project team has conducted an online survey, hosted an online interactive map, and conducted a citywide speed study. During these efforts, the community shared an idea to lower speed limits to 20 mph on local streets. Staff explored this community idea to determine if it could be done in Sarasota. Staff is presenting an update on the Traffic Calming Plan, the results of the 20 mph speed limit reduction research, and an approach on how to achieve this by 2055 if the Commission should want to move forward. This determination will allow the Traffic Calming Plan to move forward to the evaluation phase of the plan development.

Link to agenda (New Business XII.1)

Link to back-up material (300 page city-wide speed study)

Observer article:  Citywide speed limit of 20 mph proposed