The Southside's traffic congestion is something that continues to clog this region's roadways on a daily basis.  Fortunately, a little help may be on the way.

I-95/Butler Blvd. Interim Interchange Improvements

DESCRIPTION:
Add northbound and southbound I-95 entrance and exit ramps between Butler Boulevard and Bowden Road to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.

STATUS:
Current Activity: DESIGN PHASE: Finalizing the design-build criteria package.

Funding: Revised BJP Program allocation is $14 million, as part of the I-95/Butler Interchange project.

Schedule: Complete Design-Build Criteria Package and Issue RFP in second quarter of 2008 (addition of Belfort Road turn-lanes, right-of-way acquisition and coordination of utility relocation have delayed schedule).

DBE/MBE
DBE participation will conform with City policies.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES:
Drainage issues for new ramp lanes. Addition of Belfort Road turn-lanes. Permitting of project. Utility relocation coordination. Coordination of this improvement with planning work on US-1 to I-95 link, as a component of the JTB/I-95 ultimate configuration.

PROJECT MANAGER: John Davis, P.E., P.S.M.

CONTACT:
Wendy Morrow, (904) 598-8733

http://www.jtafla.com/projects/bjp/bji95jtb.aspx

Click to following links to view project renderings:

http://www.jtafla.com/projects/bjp/pdf/exhibit1.pdf
http://www.jtafla.com/projects/bjp/pdf/exhibit2_50_scale.pdf

 Eventually, once funding is secured a massive reconstruction project will potentially extend the expressway to Philips Highway.

J.T. Butler Blvd./US-1 and Butler Blvd./I-95 Intersections

DESCRIPTION:
Construct major improvements to the US-1/Butler Blvd. and I-95/Butler Blvd. intersections. This project includes interim ramp improvements for I-95/Butler Boulevard.

STATUS:
Current Activity: PLANNING PHASE: Preparation of the Project Development and Environment Study, by HNTB, is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2008.

A public meeting was held on June 4, 2007 at the Jacksonville Marriott in Southpoint to show preliminary alternatives for the project.

Funding: Revised BJP Program allocation is $65.25 million (including the I-95/Butler Ramps project of $14 million).

Schedule: Identification of project interchange alternatives was completed in the second quarter of 2007. The Project Development and Environmental Study is scheduled to be completed third quarter of 2008.

DBE/MBE
DBE participation will conform with City policies.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES:
Coordinate this work with future FDOT plans for I-95 Master Plan Update, and proposed improvements to I-95 and Butler. The improvements for FEC (Railroad) Bowden yards, under the Strategic InterMODAL System (SIS) allocation, needs to be incorporated into the design and construction of the Philips Highway/Butler Blvd. improvements.

PROJECT MANAGER: Hamid Tabassian, P.E.

CONTACT:
Wendy Morrow, (904) 598-8733

In the meantime, traffic continues to grow and construction moves forward on the current Butler Blvd/SR 9A interchange and Kernan to San Pablo expansion projects.

The 5.8 mile Kernan Boulevard to San Pablo Road widening project is expected to be completed during the Fall of 2009 at a cost of $27.7 million.
For more information:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicinformationoffice/construc/district2pio/

 

 

Article by Ennis Davis