The long wait on River Road is officially over. The state and Sarasota County have completed a $61 million project that widens a 5-mile stretch of River Road in Venice from two lanes to six, running between U.S. 41 and Interstate 75. Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Friday to mark the finish, saying the expansion triples the road’s capacity in one of the fastest-growing corners of Sarasota County.
The benefits go well beyond a shorter commute. The project added pedestrian and bicycle paths, enhanced crosswalks, and better lighting, making the corridor safer for everyone from school-age cyclists to evening walkers. Two new wildlife underpasses also give animals a safe route beneath the roadway, reducing collisions that can catch drivers off guard. And for coastal families, the extra capacity means a smoother, faster evacuation when a hurricane threatens the Suncoast.
During the celebration, DeSantis also pointed to the future, mentioning a new Fruitville Road interchange at I-75 in Sarasota as the next big piece of the region’s road puzzle. For now, drivers heading between Venice, North Port, and the interstate have six lanes to work with, a change locals have been waiting on for years.
Have you taken the new-and-improved River Road for a spin? Tell us what your commute looks like now in the comments.
