FDOT has plan to change traffic pattern at Emerson and I-95 to ease backups

[thelakelander]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation is collecting feedback on plans to change the traffic pattern at I-95 and Emerson Street.

Those interested in discussing a potential fix for the frequent backups in the area can attend an in-person meeting from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday at FDOT’s Jacksonville Urban Office on Edison Avenue.

The goal is to keep traffic on Emerson moving. Right now, cars often slow down as drivers try to turn onto the interstate, leading to backups as cars sit and wait for the light to change.

A proposed new traffic pattern widens both the lanes and the median and would have drivers going South do a U-turn before turning onto I-95. The change would give cars trying to get onto the interstate an area to wait without slowing down westbound traffic on Emerson Street.

FDOT held a virtual meeting Monday to discuss the plan and some work has already begun in the area.

https://www.news4jax.com/traffic/2024/09/17/fdot-has-plan-to-change-traffic-pattern-at-emerson-and-i-95-to-ease-backups/

[acme54321]

That's an interesting concept.  I guess the previous diverging diamond wasn't cutting edge enough

[marcuscnelson]

Do we know how well drivers are taking the interchange at Southside and Beach?

Also, after looking at the FDOT project page for this, is it me or is it kind of nuts that this project costs as much as the entire Skyway Conversion for about 1.6 miles of highway widening? $247 million seems like a lot of money for that short a segment.

[acme54321]

Do we know how well drivers are taking the interchange at Southside and Beach?

Also, after looking at the FDOT project page for this, is it me or is it kind of nuts that this project costs as much as the entire Skyway Conversion for about 1.6 miles of highway widening? $247 million seems like a lot of money for that short a segment.

Between the government taking it from behind and inflation things are just really expensive these days.  Reconfiguring 1.6 miles of heavily used interstate that cannot be closed is a project management nightmare.  It's complicated, inefficient, and time consuming.  That same road if built in a vacuum would be substantially less.

[WarDamJagFan]

Do we know how well drivers are taking the interchange at Southside and Beach?

Also, after looking at the FDOT project page for this, is it me or is it kind of nuts that this project costs as much as the entire Skyway Conversion for about 1.6 miles of highway widening? $247 million seems like a lot of money for that short a segment.

If you haven't learned yet, FDOT is a criminal racket.

[Charles Hunter]

If you haven't learned yet, FDOT is a criminal racket.

Pretty broad accusation, care to elaborate?

[WarDamJagFan]

If you haven't learned yet, FDOT is a criminal racket.

Pretty broad accusation, care to elaborate?

Just one tiny example: The I-10 / I-95 intersection has been under construction almost literally as long as I've been alive. Would be a shame if it was ever finished and all those jobs disappeared.

[Papa33]

It also appears the same cast of characters and businesses get awarded those contracts year after year after year after year after year.

[tufsu1]

That's an interesting concept.  I guess the previous diverging diamond wasn't cutting edge enough

The Emerson interchange is currently a traditional diamond with a single cloverleaf ramp. The widening of the interstate affected the room needed for the cloverleaf - thus the U-turn / S-turn idea.

[Charles Hunter]

That's an interesting concept.  I guess the previous diverging diamond wasn't cutting edge enough

The Emerson interchange is currently a traditional diamond with a single cloverleaf ramp. The widening of the interstate affected the room needed for the cloverleaf - thus the U-turn / S-turn idea.

If I (and Acme) remember correctly, FDOT originally said that Emerson would be a diverging diamond.

[acme54321]

That's an interesting concept.  I guess the previous diverging diamond wasn't cutting edge enough

The Emerson interchange is currently a traditional diamond with a single cloverleaf ramp. The widening of the interstate affected the room needed for the cloverleaf - thus the U-turn / S-turn idea.

If I (and Acme) remember correctly, FDOT originally said that Emerson would be a diverging diamond.

Correct.  This shows both concepts.

http://nflr2.com/ProjectFiles/5620/I-95%20and%20Emerson%20Interchange%20Presentation%209.17.24.pdf