3 reasons why traffic is worse in Bradenton and I-75 since Hurricane Ian, trooper says

Traffic issues have gotten worse in Manatee County in the days following Hurricane Ian, particularly on main roads including U.S. 41, Interstate 75 and 14th Street in Bradenton.

Senior Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kenneth Watson told the Bradenton Herald on Thursday that there are several reasons for the traffic issues: residents who left before the hurricane are coming back, snowbirds are starting to return, and thousands of contractors are traveling to southwest Florida to help with recovery in the Cape Coral and Fort Myers areas.

“We’re having these traffic issues because these three things are all coming together at the same time,” Watson said.

As a result of more vehicles on the road, peak traffic hours have changed. Watson recommends that if your commute generally takes 45 minutes, you might want to add an additional hour to ensure you get to your destination on time.

Another factor contributing to traffic congestion in the county is the number of traffic signals that need to be repaired — 83% of the damaged signals have been repaired, while 17-20% aren’t functioning.

“Just because you go through one intersection and the lights are functioning properly won’t mean the next one will,” Watson said.

Even after repairs, a few traffic signals have completely malfunctioned, turned off or just flashed. Watson said because of those issues, drivers should be extra careful and treat those malfunctioning lights as four-way stops.

“Never assume you have the right of way; make eye contact with those other drivers and make sure you enter the intersection safely,” he said.

More road rage

Watson did say that troopers have observed more incidences of road rage, despite the fact that there hasn’t been a spike in traffic crashes and people seem to be driving fairly safely.

“Lets be kind to our fellow drivers,” he said.“There’s not one of us thats driving a motor vehicle that has not accidentally cut someone off.”

Watson advises all drivers to use their situational awareness instincts while on the roads and to exercise patience as traffic lights still need to be fixed and debris from the roadways has to be cleared. This can help prevent traffic accidents.

Snowbirds return

It’s October, and snowbird season is nearly here.

Many people who are traveling from the Northeast and Midwest are looking at this beautiful weather in Florida and what Watson refers to as the “blue sky effect,” which makes it difficult to comprehend the extent of the storm’s damage because “everything looks so beautiful when you open the door and look up.”

Delays on I-75 South

President Joe Biden and Florida Gov. Ron Desantis both visited the Fort Myers area Wednesday to help families who were directly affected by the hurricane.

Watson said that I-75 southbound saw delays, and it has been seeing backups since the storm as first responders and others travel to the area.

“Our interstates are so crowded right now because we have so many high-profile vehicles on the road traveling south to provide Cape Coral and Fort Myers much-needed help,” Watson said.