The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public information meeting regarding the US 41 Venice By-Pass widening improvements from Center Road to Bird Bay Drive West. The US 41 Venice By-Pass widening in Sarasota County begins at Center Road (Mile Post 0.443) and extends northerly to Bird Bay Drive West (Mile Post 2.766). The existing roadway consists of 2.333 miles of four-lane roadway and one bridge culvert. The improvements will upgrade the US 41 Venice By-Pass by reconstructing the existing four lanes and adding two lanes to make it a six-lane section. The construction phase is funded through two separate contracts: Financial Project ID No.’s 198017-6-52-01 (Center Road to Gulf Coast Boulevard) and 198017-4-52-01 (Gulf Coast Boulevard to Bird Bay Drive West). FDOT will construct the northern section from Gulf Coast Boulevard to Bird Bay Drive West first, beginning in spring of 2015. The southern section from Center Road to Gulf Coast Boulevard is currently funded for construction in Fiscal Year 2018-2019 of the Department’s Five Year Work Program. This meeting is to inform the public about the project’s progress. It will be conducted as an open house and participants are welcome to come anytime between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Aerial maps, plans, and other documents pertaining to the US 41 Venice By-Pass roadway projects will be available for review and FDOT representatives will be present to discuss the projects or answer questions. FDOT welcomes written comments at the public information meeting and by mail.