Price Boulevard in North Port: Growth, Gridlock, and What the Widening Project Means for Safety

Bryan Greenberg Accident Lawyers Personal Injury

As North Port continues to grow at a record pace, one road has become a daily frustration for thousands of drivers: Price Boulevard. This two-lane road stretches across the city, connecting neighborhoods, schools, and major highways like I-75 and US 41—but it hasn’t kept up with the city’s rapid development.

Now, with a massive widening project underway, Price Boulevard is set to change dramatically. The project promises smoother traffic—but also brings concerns about driver safety, construction zone hazards, and the long-term impact on pedestrians, cyclists, and homeowners.

At All Injuries Law Firm, we’ve represented many clients injured on Price Boulevard—especially in rear-end crashes, left-turn collisions, and multi-car pileups near school zones and intersections. In this article, we’ll explore how the expansion may affect the community, and what local residents need to know to stay safe and protect their rights.

What Drivers Face on Price Boulevard Today

Anyone who lives in North Port knows the story of Price Boulevard. It’s not a scenic highway or a retail corridor—it’s a busy two-lane road that cuts through the heart of town, lined with single-family homes, many built decades ago and sold to new residents as the city grew.

Over time, this once-quiet street became one of North Port’s busiest thoroughfares, now serving as the main route to schools, neighborhoods, parks, and major roads like Sumter, Toledo Blade, and I-75. And with that growth has come congestion, delays, and an increase in serious crashes.

Here’s what drivers deal with every day:

Two narrow lanes with limited room for error—and hundreds of residential driveways feeding directly onto the road

• Daily bumper-to-bumper traffic, especially near schools during pickup and drop-off
• Rear-end crashes caused by stop-and-go backups and inexperienced drivers
• High-risk left-turn collisions at key intersections like Sumter Blvd, Toledo Blade, and Chamberlain Blvd
• Teen drivers, buses, and heavy commuter traffic all sharing space during peak hours
• Flood-prone bridges, some of which were washed out after Hurricane Ian, leading to weeks-long closures and detours

Nearly everyone agrees: Price Boulevard needs to be widened and upgraded. The city is now taking bold steps to make that happen. But while the improvements are welcome— and long overdue— they may bring some unintended challenges, including increased speeds and new safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists.

What the Price Boulevard Widening Project Includes

For years, North Port residents have dealt with the traffic, safety issues, and growing frustration along Price Boulevard—all while watching major taxpayer investments pour into Wellen Park, the city’s high-profile, master-planned development modeled after Lakewood Ranch. While Wellen Park brought splashy new infrastructure and development, longtime residents in central North Port were still stuck navigating a two-lane bottleneck through the heart of their community.

Some Wellen Park homeowners even petitioned to separate from North Port and join Venice —further fueling the feeling that central North Port was being left behind. (Yes Wellen Park is actually part of North Port not Venice)

But now, at last, the city is turning its attention to a project that directly benefits core residents: the long-awaited Price Boulevard Widening Project.

Here's what’s included in this major investment:

• 2.8 miles of expansion from east of Sumter Boulevard to west of Toledo Blade Boulevard
• Widening the road from two lanes to four lanes to reduce congestion
• Adding a center turn lane to help with turning traffic and reduce backups
• Upgrading stormwater systems and canal crossings to better handle future flooding
• Improving access for emergency responders and evacuation routes
• Ongoing construction through late 2027, with utility relocation already underway

The project was made possible by a 2022 voter-approved bond referendum, and construction is now being managed by Watson Civil Construction, a firm selected through a competitive bid process.

City officials have promised to maintain traffic flow during the work, except for short closures needed at canal crossings. Residents can track updates at NorthPortFL.gov/Price.

Is A Center Turn Lane On Price A Step Forward—or a New Safety and Aesthetic Concern?

While many North Port residents are relieved to see Price Boulevard finally getting the attention it deserves, not everyone is thrilled with how it’s being widened.

The plan includes a continuous center turn lane, designed to help drivers make left turns without blocking traffic. But center turn lanes —often called “suicide lanes” —have a reputation for being confusing, dangerous, and unattractive, especially in residential areas.

What are the concerns with a center turn lane on Price?

Safety Risks: With no physical barrier between opposing directions of traffic, center turn lanes can increase the risk of head-on collisions, especially when two vehicles attempt to use the lane at the same time from opposite sides.

Visual Impact: Instead of a landscaped median, the center lane is just more pavement—offering no greenery, no shade, and no aesthetic benefit for residents whose homes sit just feet away from the road.

Property Value Effects: Some studies suggest that homes along roads with continuous center turn lanes may experience reduced property values compared to similar homes along boulevards with landscaped medians or traffic-calming features.¹

What could have been done differently?

Many residents believe a landscaped median similar to Sumter Blvd or Toledo Blade —while slightly more expensive—could have:

• Improved visual appeal
• Created a safer buffer between lanes
• Provided pedestrian islands or designated crossing zones
• Boosted property aesthetics and long-term value

Instead, the current design reflects a more utilitarian approach—focusing on vehicle flow over neighborhood character, right in the middle of town.

What to Watch Out for While Driving on Price During Construction

As construction unfolds along Price Boulevard, the road may be improving—but the risk for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and roadside workers is increasing in the short term.

From lane shifts and uneven pavement to detours and poor visibility, construction zones are among the most dangerous places to drive. Rear-end collisions, side-swipes, and pedestrian accidents are all far more likely in active work zones—especially when drivers are distracted or speeding.

Florida Law: Speeding in Construction Zones Comes With a Heavy Price

Under Florida Statute § 316.183, speed limits must be reduced in construction zones—and when workers are present, fines are doubled. This means that a typical $150 speeding ticket could jump to $300 or more, not including court costs and insurance penalties.
Drivers Are Also Required to Protect Roadside Workers

Florida’s “Move Over” law (F.S. § 316.126) requires drivers to slow down and, when possible, change lanes away from roadside work crews and utility vehicles. Failing to do so can result in points on your license, fines, and higher liability in the event of an accident.

What to Expect on Price Boulevard During Construction

• Frequent lane shifts and temporary barriers
• Reduced shoulders and narrower lanes
• Construction vehicles entering/exiting driveways
• Detours at canal crossings and bridge reconstruction zones
• Sidewalk closures and disruptions to bike paths
• Increased risk of rear-end crashes, especially during stop-and-go traffic

Pedestrians and cyclists—particularly directly in the construction zone or even children near the schools such as Toledo Blade, and Heron Creek Middle School and North Port High, affected by the traffic overflow, and getting to and from school —will be more vulnerable as sidewalks and crossings are rerouted or blocked altogether. Parents should take extra precautions, and drivers should expect unfamiliar traffic patterns during school hours.

At All Injuries Law Firm, we’ve handled many cases involving crashes in construction zones. If you were injured on a road like Price Boulevard during active construction, the party responsible could include not only another driver—but also the contractor, equipment operator, or even municipal entities depending on how the site was managed.

Hurt in a Crash on Price Blvd? You’re Not Alone—And You Don’t Have to Face It Alone

From rear-end collisions near school zones to left-turn crashes at Sumter or Chamberlain, and even e-bike riders sideswiped by impatient drivers—we’ve seen just about every type of accident happen on Price Boulevard. And with the road now under construction, the risks are only increasing.

If you or someone you love has been injured on Price Blvd—before or during the construction project—you may be eligible for compensation. But you only get one shot at making a strong case.

At All Injuries Law Firm, we bring more than just legal knowledge—we bring local insight, a deep track record, and a team that truly cares.

With over 35 years of experience, All Injuries Law Firm has helped thousands of Florida drivers recover after serious crashes—including many injured on Price Boulevard and surrounding roads.

We’re proud to serve the North Port community with:

• Board-Certified Attorneys in Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury
• Millions recovered for injured clients
• A client-first approach backed by 5-star reviews and legal accolades

Call today for a free consultation: (941) 625-4878

Serving North Port, Venice, Port Charlotte & all of Southwest Florida