A state lawmaker from Venice is asking the legislature to approve more than 43-million dollars to fund the expansion and elevation of River Road. Republican Julio Gonzalez filed the bill Tuesday. River Road which serves as a major artery in the West Villages, the possible future spring home of the Atlanta Braves, and as a hurricane evacuation route. It runs 13 and a half miles from Interstate 75 in Sarasota County to State Road 776 in Charlotte County. More than 52 million dollars has already been spent on River Road. However, upgrades costing millions more are needed for the addition of more lanes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks and street lighting.
