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44th Avenue Bridge to open August 7th

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MANATEE COUNTY – An important link expanding and enhancing the east-west corridor across Manatee County is set to open for traffic—just in time for the upcoming school year. To celebrate this important milestone, Manatee County Public Works is hosting a ribbon-cutting to commemorate the official opening of the 44th Avenue Extension Bridge over the Braden River on Monday, August 7, at 8:00 a.m.

The Building Bridges to New Horizons celebration is yet another important milestone in this long-term project. Originally proposed as part of the 1968 Concept Development Plan and later incorporated into Manatee County’s 1989 Comprehensive Plan, this roadway is designed with a capacity for an additional 36,000 vehicles per day. Once completed, it will significantly reduce demand on parallel thoroughfares (SR 64 and SR 70) by a combined 21,000 vehicles per day.

“This vital road expansion is a great example of the dedication your Board of County Commissioners has to keeping our county moving forward,” said Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

The 44th Avenue East extension has been built in project phases starting in 2013. The final phases of the project, including a bridge over I-75 are currently under construction.

More Information, Including Project Updates