Sarasota County officials gathered on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to share details about the Manasota Beach Road extension. The meeting, held at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center in Venice, aimed to explain the plans and answer questions about the project, which stretches Manasota Beach Road half a mile east of SR 776 all the way to the North Port city limits. The extension links Wellen Park and Englewood, promising less congestion and faster trips to the beach.
Not everyone is on board. Approximately 2,000 residents have spoken out and stand firm against the extension.
The project has now reached the 90% design phase. County and project staff set up in the lobby at 6 p.m., speaking with residents and showing project boards before the main presentation kicked off at 6:30 in the chambers. The meeting wrapped up at 8 p.m. after a long round of questions. Because this wasn’t an official Sarasota County Board meeting, no votes or decisions happened that night; it was strictly for information…