FDOT's latest plans for I-95 expansion through LaVilla

[thelakelander]

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has updated plans to expand Interstate 95 through the heart of LaVilla. Here is a look at what is currently proposed and additional information on the upcoming project's Public Hearing.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/fdots-latest-plans-for-i-95-expansion-through-lavilla/

[Steve]

Not sure if I can make the meeting, but FDOT is going to kill people with this arrangement:

Look at the rendering for a driver coming onto I-95 south from the State Street ramp, who wants to stay on I-95 (not go to I-10). They will need to cross 4 lanes of I-95 between effectively Union Street and Ashley Street. Now, I know their intent is that you stay to the right, don't take that ramp, and take the other I-95 South ramp that's just after the Myrtle Avenue Overpass. But, unless there's a physical barrier, people will do it.

[thelakelander]

Good point! I do it now all the time.

[Steve]

Also, not sure I like the removal of the Church/Myrtle/Forsyth exit for I-95 south. I know why they did it (proximity to the State Street onramp), but this means your exit choices into downtown are Union Street or Forest Street. Seems odd.

[Jagsdrew]

This is going to be the same issue as the I-95/I-10 interchange where we've been on iteration 3 or 4 of re-worked ramps and lanes. We'll have this project complete only to have another one right behind it to make more changes. 

In a perfect world, you bury portions of the 95, restore the street grid to re-connect neighborhoods again. Boston did it and Dallas did a few city blocks.

[Charles Hunter]

I wish the aerials with the slider showed the current vs the new proposal, instead of the prior proposal vs the new.

Hey, after years (decades?) of the Union Street northbound exit being signed for US90/Beaver Street, you will actually be able to do it, without looking for small signs.

I agree with Steve, there should be a physical barrier to keep traffic from the State Street southbound entrance ramp from crossing 3 or 4 lanes of I-95 to get to the left lanes to the Fuller Warren Bridge. The displays don't include the plans for signs and pavement messages, but increasing the number, and clarity, of these could mitigate the desire to cut across all those lanes.

[jaxlongtimer]

FYI, based on announcement on NPR, this hearing is today from 4:30 to 6:00 with public comments beginning at 6 PM.  Location is FDOT Urban Offices on Edison.

[urban_]

Also, not sure I like the removal of the Church/Myrtle/Forsyth exit for I-95 south. I know why they did it (proximity to the State Street onramp), but this means your exit choices into downtown are Union Street or Forest Street. Seems odd.

TBH it may be good for there to be less options to get into downtown- it'll be one or two less streets where you'd have to watch for 60mph+ cars blowing a stoplight coming from the highway. Especially with the Emerald Trail going through there, the removal of the Church St. highway access seems fine, as they still have several access points to the downtown. I'm not sure who this is going to realistically impact negatively, but it would appear to me that the advantages of having the Emerald Trail users be safer (and more likely to use it, I know I wouldn't want to cross a highway exit if I could avoid it) would outweigh cars/trucks having to go another block or two. The city is moving in a more pedestrian-focused direction and I think this fits well with that vision.