Manatee County supervisors are expressing concerns about the traffic expected to accompany the opening of the new Mall at University Town Center.
According to our partners at the Bradenton Herald, traffic is already backed up on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
Supervisors also expressed concerns that the reconstruction of the I-75 exchange to accommodate more traffic and the redevelopment of the Fort Hamer Bridge will bring even more traffic to the area.
County supervisors worry that once the mall opens and all roadwork is complete, at least 70,000 more cars a day will travel on that road.
They want to hold a town hall meeting with residents and county planning officials to come up with a plan to address the extra traffic.