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Monday, 07 April 2008 |
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As construction of the State Road 9A (SR 9A) comes to an end, a new name for the highway is currently being installed throughout town.
Recently installed signs on I-95 north now show SR 9A as I-295, the Eastern Beltway. 
Construction of the $80.5 million SR 9A/ Butler Blvd Interchange began in July 2005. Its anticipated that the project will be complete in 2009.
When complete, the proposed State Road 9B will become Jacksonville's next interstate highway. I-795 will run from the Eastern Beltway to Race Track Road where it will tie into an extension of Nocatee Parkway, currently under construction.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2011.
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April 7, 2008, 9:54 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
I'm gald to see the I295 loop nearing completion but we can do without the 9B extension, IMO.
April 7, 2008, 10:02 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Okay, good, now could the wizards at City Hall or JTA figure out how to rename JTB, I mean, J turner Butler, or uh, JT Butler, no I'm sorry, Butler Blvd Freeway, oops that's not right, Butler, something that makes CONSTANT sense? This is not to say Mr. JTB might not deserve a name, but do we need all three? and in every possible combination?
Also, what about these signs one passes after coming into town on the super-slab... "Jacksonville 17 miles?,"
"Jacksonville 12 Miles," Huh? Has Florida ever measured the distance from Jacksonville to anywhere? Are they aware the City Limits changed in the 1960's? Can ANYONE at FDOT spell "Downtown Jacksonville?" Replacing these signs with "Downtown Jacksonville" or "Jacksonville CBD" signs would make a lot of sense.
Ocklawaha
April 7, 2008, 10:07 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
"Jacksonville 12 Miles," Huh? Has Florida ever measured the distance from Jacksonville to anywhere? Are they aware the City Limits changed in the 1960's? Can ANYONE at FDOT spell "Downtown Jacksonville?" Replacing these signs with "Downtown Jacksonville" or "Jacksonville CBD" signs would make a lot of sense.
I'm with ya on that one! I've always wondered why the signs don't read that way.
April 7, 2008, 10:08 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Is JTB built to federal standards? Could it too be renamed to say I395 or something not used??
April 7, 2008, 10:10 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
They are slowly doing that - the new signs from I-10 East say Downtown Jacksonville.
As far as the mileage signs, I have no idea why they still measure from the old city limits.
April 7, 2008, 10:15 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
I want to believe that I've heard that the signs measure to the city center but I don't know if its true or not.
April 7, 2008, 10:48 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
I think that's correct - the same can be said for distances to Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Palatka, etc. Even if you use Mapquest & simply select the city/town without specifics, you always dump @ city center/downtown.......
April 7, 2008, 10:49 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
JTB, J. Turner Butler Blvd., Butler Blvd, etc. = S.R. 202. Simplifies things a little bit.
April 7, 2008, 2:13 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Heh, I forgot that it even had a state road number!
If it meets federal highway standards it could be taken over as an interstate spur and renamed, just like 9A. Anyone know if it meets these standards?
April 7, 2008, 2:19 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
April 7, 2008, 2:19 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Since we're on the topic of discussing naming conventions of our city's roads, I've always wondered why we go by some of the bridges official names and others we use the area of town they feed into.
Here's a long standing debate I have with my friends I'll use as an example: Why can't we call the Matthews bridge the Arlington bridge? I've always called it that, not even thinking twice about it, only to get scolded by friends who say "noooooooooo Dave it’s called the Matthews bridge, you don’t call the buckman bridge the Orange Park bridge do ya?"
Ok, true, but we don’t call the Main Street Bridge the John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge either. "Yeah, what you wanna do is take 95 downtown, then go over the John T Aslop Jr Bridge, and then hang a left on Bay." Or when giving directions to the airport from the beach most wouldn't say "hit 9a (the 295 northwestsoutheast beltway now) to the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge, hit 95 and get off at duval road!
Proposed changes:
Matthews- Arlington bridge
Acosta= The Neon Bridge
Buckman= Worlds Longest Left Turn Lane With an Occasional Couch Laying in the Middle Lanes, bridge.
Ok, maybe we can leave the Acosta & Buckmanas as they are, but i'm passionate about change. And change starts today! From now on I declare the Matthews bridge is officially the Arlington bridge.
*breaks champagne on newly replaced concrete filled grating*
April 7, 2008, 2:24 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Don't forget the Ostrich incident... I was stuck on the buckman for 2 1/2 hours watching crews scamper from side to side trying to catch an ostrich that somehow escaped from a circus truck. It was hilarious and maddening all at the same time! That is the worst bridge I've ever seen when it comes to people losing ladders and plywood. Tie straps people!
April 7, 2008, 2:32 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Don't forget the Ostrich incident... I was stuck on the buckman for 2 1/2 hours watching crews scamper from side to side trying to catch an ostrich that somehow escaped from a circus truck. It was hilarious and maddening all at the same time! That is the worst bridge I've ever seen when it comes to people losing ladders and plywood. Tie straps people!
So true with the ties traps! I haven't heard about the Ostrich incident, I did hear about sheep running amuck on 295 near the Buckman several years ago, but yeah, I would've paid money to have seen the Ostrich act.
And oh! Wasn't it a ladder that caused a semi truck to veer off and knock a pickup truck off the Buckman into the St Johns several years back? I've been guilty of redneck-rigging furniture to a friends truck to move furniture every now and again, but I did make sure I had multiple bungee cords and straps at least!
April 7, 2008, 3:39 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
A couple of points:
1) City mileage markers are measured from municipalities' city hall. That is why it always says 12 miles to Jacksonville, even when in the city limits. When I lived in Tallahassee, it was the same thing as well as Fort Worth, TX. Not sure why they do it that way, but they do.
2) JTB is not up to federal highway standards. The interchange with I-95 would have to be completely redone for that to occur, as well as making some modifications to the Belfort Rd. interchange.
I agree on the naming issues of JTB. For one, I don't think it should be called a Boulevard, because it is a limited access freeway. Now Florida seems to like to call these Expressways, but I think the term freeway is better suited. Save expressway for toll roads. So I think they should go with J.T. Butler Freeway on all the signage. It is easier than J. Turner Butler, but still gives enough recognition to the man it was named for that simply Butler would not.
Also, change the name of the Hart Bridge Expressway. That is very boring and unimaginative. How about something like Jaguar Freeway, since it does dump traffic right at the stadium.
I'm also for giving I-95 and I-295 names to help people identify what part of the freeway they are on, like they do out west. For example in Fort Worth, I-30 west of I-35W was the West Freeway and east of I-35W it was the East Freeway. In Phoenix, you have I-17 as the Black Canyon Freeway and I-10 west of downtown is the Papago Freeway and east of downtown is the Maricopa Freeway. So I would propose adding some kind of name to the road such as maybe the St. Augustine Freeway for I-95 south of I-10. I-295 east of I-95 could be the First Coast Freeway.
April 7, 2008, 4:15 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
I am happy to see the end nearing or should I say the beginning of less headaches in morning travel. As for the 9B extension I can't disagree with Jason more. I am ready to choke or bribe anyone to finish the plans for 9B earlier than stated. I live off of Racetrack Rd and can't wait to make shorter trips with less traffic.
However I would be even happier if they put an onramp and offramp for Racetrack off of I-95 directly. I realize that we are St Johns county but we used to be Jacksonville until last year. There are so many homes being developed in the area, far more than areas of Jacksonville that have direct access to I-95 now. We will become a complete disaster like the town of Orange Park created if we don't do something soon to alleviate traffic into and out of Julinton Creek. CR-210 is not an option as it is a morning parking grid also.[/b] :'/
April 7, 2008, 4:26 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
CR 210 is a disaster during rush hour. At some point, if no alternative (ex. a direct interchange with I-95 at Race Track Road) is provided, a flyover or two will be needed.
April 7, 2008, 4:36 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
However I would be even happier if they put an onramp and offramp for Racetrack off of I-95 directly. I realize that we are St Johns county but we used to be Jacksonville until last year. There are so many homes being developed in the area, far more than areas of Jacksonville that have direct access to I-95 now. We will become a complete disaster like the town of Orange Park created if we don't do something soon to alleviate traffic into and out of Julinton Creek. CR-210 is not an option as it is a morning parking grid also.[/b] :'/
While I think it will be built, don't think that this will actually help traffic for more than about 5-6 years. We seem to not understand the concept that when you build a freeway through undeveloped land (which much of 9B is undeveloped still), it drives development (just like a rail line does).
For example, remember 8 years ago when no one was on 9A south of baymeadows? How times have changed.
April 7, 2008, 4:40 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
They finally started construction on a new exit at Collins Rd and I-295. From what I read off of jta web site there will be a service road connecting Blanding and Collins. That should ease Blanding some, at least from the Argyle and Oakleaf traffic.
April 7, 2008, 4:40 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
However I would be even happier if they put an onramp and offramp for Racetrack off of I-95 directly. I realize that we are St Johns county but we used to be Jacksonville until last year. There are so many homes being developed in the area, far more than areas of Jacksonville that have direct access to I-95 now. We will become a complete disaster like the town of Orange Park created if we don't do something soon to alleviate traffic into and out of Julinton Creek. CR-210 is not an option as it is a morning parking grid also.[/b] :'/
IMO, the problem can be solved by building an interchange with I95 versus building a new highway. The eastern portion of the 9B route does nothing but open up more land for development in an already sprawling area. Also is doesn't connect any destinations. An interchange at I95 opens the flood gates for Racetrack Road and becomes a connection node to the rest of the region.
BTW, welcome to MetroJacksonville!
April 7, 2008, 4:53 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Now your talking Jason:
April 7, 2008, 6:42 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Jacksonville does have a problem naming freeways though.. I think we're on the right track with calling 295 "The Beltway" though.
And I agree with all of you that say JTB shouldnt be a boulevard. Its not a freakin' boulevard.. its a limited access FREEWAY!
Jacksonville needs to start naming things after famous Jacksonvillians or something..
Detroit, for example, has:
Edsel Ford Freeway (I94)
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway (I75)
Walter Reuther Freeway (I696)
Jeffries Freeway (I96)
John C Lodge (or Lodge Freeway) (M-10)
We could name I95 in the county the Haydon Burns Freeway (cause he was so instrumental in blowing things up for it)
Hart Bridge Expressway could be the Duval Greenway or something
Just please rename it the J. Turner Butler Freeway and standardize all the signage!
and yes, I also agree with taking down the mileage measurements.. It must be so confusing to out-of-state travelers that come through and pass "ENTERING DUVAL COUNTY -- JACKSONVILLE CITY LIMIT" and then 3 miles later see "JACKSONVILLE 12" .... Youre already there! Change the damn signs to say "DOWNTOWN".
April 8, 2008, 5:13 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
They seriously need to rename sections to actually make them easier to identify. Very few cities here in the SE have actual designated sections, such as Atlanta, Nashville, Tampa, and Charlotte. Now Miami has, to a degree, as well as Orlando, only due to toll ways. Houston has pretty much got it down, and so has Dallas, and Birmingham as well. hell, just name some after sections of town there in. JTB could be named something like Butler-Ocean Freeway, or something, you have to give the guy credit afterall. Now the HBE, it should be something like River City Greenway, that sounds very appealing., or may be Jaguars Freeway, something that really sounds Jacksonville. The section of I-95 from the I-10 junction, down to 295 could be Palmetto Freeway, north of I-10 it can be First Coast Freeway, I-10 can be Gateway Freeway or Duval Freeway. Don't worry about the Mathews Bridge, its years are number anyways. Heck, name JTB Butler-First Coast Freeway or the Butler-Beachline Freeway. Something needs to be done, its soemwhat confusing to people, especially to first timers.
April 8, 2008, 7:45 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
We could strip most roads of their current names and revert to a form of a numbered grid system if we are concerned with alleviating confusion for motorists. A subsystem would have to be devised for roads that meander and do not seemingly travel in a predominantly east-west or north-south fashion. This would eliminate names that reflect the area and, in my opinion, be another step towards a bland Jacksonville lacking identity. I'm more in favor of adopting more prominent, yet not obtrusive, signage.
April 8, 2008, 9:46 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
I honestly think that the majority of Jacksonville is fairly easy to navigate and the naming convention makes sence (with the exception of a few roads). Because of the river, ocean, and intracoastal landmarks and the fact that our city is a t-junction for the two longest highways in the country makes it pretty hard to get lost once you becom familiar with the 4 or 5 major roadways.
April 8, 2008, 12:03 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
does anyone know why they didn't make it 3 lanes like beltway west?
April 8, 2008, 12:10 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Because they're cheap ass morons. they'll wait till traffic is unbearable then add a lane.
April 8, 2008, 12:45 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
The west beltway is not three lanes for the length; just to I-10.
However, one thing they did was smart - look how wide the medians are. While this doesn't help with the cost of concrete, they won't have to buy land to expand the road.
April 8, 2008, 12:49 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
haha, ain't that the truth stephenc!!! you got it right!!
April 8, 2008, 1:53 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Mabe thay can use the median for rail ?
April 8, 2008, 2:07 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
I don't see that happening - the area is not walkable at all, and I don't see 9A from Phillips to Butler being a big rail corridor. There are actual walkable areas of the city that are not served by transit today.
April 8, 2008, 2:55 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
April 8, 2008, 4:51 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
In Orlando they call SR 408 simply, The 408.. I guess we could rename JTB the 202 =)
April 8, 2008, 8:30 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
It is tolled so it is more recognizable than its working name, East-West Expressway. I have yet to see East-West Expressway on any sign out there, all it is the typical FL state route signage, just with TOLL above it.
April 9, 2008, 11:47 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
The "East-West" is labled as such on I4.
April 10, 2008, 4:55 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Why can't we call the whole thing 295 isn't that what it is?
April 10, 2008, 10:32 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Back to the post about Racetrack and 95 there will never be an interchange at that location as St. Johns County decided to put a rest area in and that rest area is too close to Race Track for an interchange.
The 9B plans (at least from a couple years ago) actually show Race Track being rerouted south some and being in a large intersection with 9B that would quickly link into 95. Almost like Phillips gets you to 9A to 95 easily.
April 11, 2008, 9:04 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
^ You're right about the DOT not wanting an interchange there because of their shiny new rest area. It just seems like a much more logical and cost effective solution, even at the expense of a rest area. 9B will definitely help the residents in that area, however, an interchange will do the same thing much cheaper and save thousands of acres of wetlands and woodlands from development. 9B's route does nothing but open up more land in northern St. Johns and southern Duval to more sprawling development.
April 11, 2008, 9:19 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
So. The area couldn't use more Pulte townhomes, Chili's and Targets?
April 11, 2008, 9:19 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
The funny thing is, there's enough room there to build an interchange without ripping out the rest area. It would have to be a half cloverleaf interchange on the northside of Race Track Road with an additional lane added between the interchange and the rest areas for merging.
April 11, 2008, 10:38 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Its not the space that is the problem. The DOT has strict guidlines with regard to development encroachment and vicinity to other establishments with restroom facilities.
April 11, 2008, 10:58 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Must be new. The Seminole County rest stop is just north of the 434/I-4 interchange in Altamonte and that area has been built up for over +20 years.
April 11, 2008, 11:32 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Good point. I can't find the article that talked about their development giudlines.
Wasn't the Marietta rest area on I-10 closed due to its close vicinity to other private facilities and development encroachment?
April 11, 2008, 12:18 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
If you go out I-10, it looks like the new Branan Field-Chaffee Road (and there's another road needing a new name*) interchange is right on top of the westbound side of the rest area, and it looks like the ramps will extend very near the old eastbound location.
* but once the state gets a contractor to build the outer beltway and complete Branan Field-Chaffee Road, as a toll road, it may get a new name
June 5, 2008, 12:19 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Especially when those wetlands are directly behind your house. By my judgments the residents in the back of Bartram Springs (that back to Citi/Gran Bay area) will have 9B in their back yard. Has anyone else noticed this?
June 5, 2008, 1:10 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
The End of State Road 9A...just in time for the End of the Car Culture.
I wonder if the powers that be are still thinking about that Outer Beltway now? I still say if we want to shed the backwater image, a great forward-thinking way is better & more bikelanes and the commuter rail. 2 very feasible projects that we could get started relatively easily.
July 8, 2008, 8:19 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
I had also heard that Cypress Trace development (Centex Condos next to the dog track / game room) was going to be wiped out by the extention / realignment. I cannot find anything to confirm this. Anybody know anything?
July 8, 2008, 11:44 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
From the Florida DOT SR9B webpage: http://www.sr9b.com/sr9b/default.aspx
(from the DOT home page "major projects" then "District 2"
Eventually, it is supposed to connect to I-95 somewhere near Racetrack Road.
July 9, 2008, 10:01 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
My wife spoke to a Duval planner... actually the project manager for the 9b project and he said the following.
1. It is going to happen
2. It will be going thru the space behind Bartram Springs (see the attached link)
3. Expected completion in 10 years (which would be construction would start in the next few)
http://www.fdotfirstcoastouterbeltway.com/forum_docs/Pink_11x17_rev.pdf
July 10, 2008, 11:02 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Let me guess: the Peytons own land near the proposed 9B? If so, this thing is a certainty.
July 10, 2008, 11:09 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
St. Johns County also approved funding for a land purchase (coupled with federal funds) to build the SJC portion of the roadway. This thing is going to happen.
October 2, 2008, 7:09 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
So......Is 295 now complete?? Or is it still 295/9A?? What is the latest with the signs down there??
October 2, 2008, 7:43 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
They took the signs pictured here down and replaced them with 9A signs. I assume they're not going to put up the 295 signage until the JTB interchange is complete.
October 2, 2008, 8:20 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
once the JTB interchange is completed, that means all ramps are open, 9A will go away. This should happen before the end of the year.
October 2, 2008, 8:43 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
once the JTB interchange is completed, that means all ramps are open, 9A will go away. This should happen before the end of the year.
So every sign that said "9A" now says "295" ?
October 2, 2008, 9:43 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
9-B only a possibility? Hell No... Written in STONE from Washington D.C.
OCKLAWAHA
October 2, 2008, 10:45 pm
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Last I heard, at a CPAC meeting I think, was that DOT expects the JTB interchange to be done around the first of the year (early 2009). I'm guessing that the signs won't be changed immediately, since the interchange wasn't due to be finished until the end of 2009. I wonder how many signs with "9A" there are? Not just the big green ones, but all those little white ones on all the side streets?
October 3, 2008, 12:02 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
Get 'em while they're hot! One day they'll be JAX nostalgia. Think I'll put on in the garage!
October 4, 2008, 9:38 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
So I take it the signs still read 9A....
October 4, 2008, 11:16 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
So I take it the signs still read 9A....
They were a few days ago, and I don't think they are even going to begin change them until after they finish the JTB interchange around the first of the year.
October 4, 2008, 11:44 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
I wonder if the powers that be are still thinking about that Outer Beltway now? I still say if we want to shed the backwater image, a great forward-thinking way is better & more bikelanes and the commuter rail. 2 very feasible projects that we could get started relatively easily.
Darn right. Gas prices higher, automobile driving lower, FDOT still pushing their 20 year plan. What's wrong with this picture?
October 4, 2008, 11:55 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
As I understand it, the Outer Beltway won't happen unless they can bring on a private company to operate it as a toll road - no tax money (beyond what has already been spent on picking a route) involved.
October 6, 2008, 10:07 am
Re: The End of State Road 9A
My understanding as well. From what I remember, the Turnpike Authority's name was discussed as an option as well as some European company.
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