Background
The City of North Port Engineering Department is conducting a Corridor Alignment Study to evaluate capacity improvement alternatives for Price Boulevard. Due to the current and future development within the project study area, the preferred corridor will provide an increase in capacity and will minimize right-of-way acquisition to reduce impacts and project costs. The intent of this Study is to evaluate the projected travel demands and resultant transportation improvements along Price Boulevard and the adjacent areas within the City with respect to the expectations and visions of the community. Multiple alternatives will be considered for capacity improvements including increased laneage, intersection improvements, operational improvements, and alternative corridors. The need for pedestrian and bicycle facilities will also be evaluated to determine if improvements are warranted. Overall, the evaluation will focus on providing a livable community by addressing the safety, socioeconomic and environmental effects of accommodating the projected travel demands.
Price Boulevard is a major arterial roadway that extends through the City of North Port in an east/west direction. This study will evaluate the corridor from Biscayne Drive to Orlando Boulevard, a distance of approximately 13 miles. The project is located within the City of North Port, in southern Sarasota County. Refer to the Project Location Map for a graphic illustration of the corridor.
The majority of Price Boulevard consists of a two-lane rural typical section within a 100-foot right-of-way. The exceptions to the typical section occurs at the intersection of Price Boulevard and Sumter Boulevard, in which left and right turn lanes are provided on both streets. Also, at the intersection of Price Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard, a left turn lane is provided on Toledo Blade.
The existing land use adjacent to the Price Boulevard corridor consists mostly of residential development with isolated areas of commercial, community, governmental, religious, and recreational uses. The project corridor can be characterized as generally rural in nature with a vast amount of vacant land on the eastern end of the corridor.
