JTA Board Approves Resolution to Modernize Skyway

[Metro Jacksonville]

JTA Board Approves Resolution to Modernize Skyway





Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-dec-jta-board-approves-resolution-to-modernize-skyway

[camarocane]

This is great news! Now I just hope they don't squat on expansion for the next 20 years.

[exnewsman]

This is great news! Now I just hope they don't squat on expansion for the next 20 years.

They have one year to formulate a modernization and expansion plan.

[Tacachale]

Copying this here, as it bears repeating in the context of JTA studying expansion options:

...

Anyway, when it comes to funding capital improvements, one option I'd suggest is the "bundling" of funding options. For example, the mobility plan will be updated sometime soon. Perhaps, the Skyway could be included as a transportation element as opposed to a road or the streetcar lines in the current plan? If Khan hasn't already taken all the bed tax money, perhaps some could be utilized on the segment to expand the Skyway to the Sports District? By piecemealing potential funding sources and opportunities, it may be easier than most think to come up with a viable plan to fund various expansion concepts.

[jcjohnpaint]

This was the best option on the table.  I think it is positive.  What would a more modern car/ technology look like?  Would such cars have the same cost and problems as the existing cars?

[thelakelander]

^It depends. If they try to go with SDI's proprietary people mover, it would probably look similar to their vehicles in Indianapolis:



If they go with a Bombardier APM, then you could be looking at an Innovia 300:



However, the center beam would have to be removed to accommodate Bombardier's APM. Go with a different technology that moves away from the higher costing APM, then you'll find yourself with a ton of commonly used options. However, going a different route would mean more in-depth analysis on what the existing infrastructure can and can't support, would need to be done.

[ProjectMaximus]

Well, I certainly hope there are modern options that increase capacity for use by stadium crowds if they do extend in that direction, and I hope the new technology does not become obsolete. Obviously conversion to streetcar was the way to go here if it was feasible, but they didnt really study that at all.

I've still got my fingers crossed that this can work out for the best.

[Sonic101]

If they somehow decided to get rid of the Commodore Point Expressway, could they reuse the bridge supports for a new guideway to expand to the sports district? Or at least the ROW?

[jaxlore]

Good news. Now lets see how creative JTA can be.

[mtraininjax]

Brad Thoburn was quoted in the Resident saying that the present cars are obsolete. No one is making them any longer and in fact JTA has used some of the old broken cars for parts for the existing ones. So the writing is on the wall, they need to get new cars. Maybe they can put Chuck and Eddie's pictures on them too, get the damn attorneys to pay for 'em.

[E_Dubya]

I wonder if any of this will incorporate Streetcar. I know that the folks of San Marco (assuming the extension would go out there) will likely be diametrically opposed to an elevated route above Hendricks. Connecting the current Kings Ave Station to the square or even down to University via Trolly would likely be the best bet.

I doubt Riverside would have an issue with an elevated route heading into Five Points or to Stockton St, so I can see an actual Skyway extension to that neighborhood.

[thelakelander]

An elevated route will never make it to Riverside. If new cars are APM, expansion will be limited.  If something that can operate at grade, without blocking streets, you could literally expand anywhere you want to go.

[Captain Zissou]

I wonder if any of this will incorporate Streetcar. I know that the folks of San Marco (assuming the extension would go out there) will likely be diametrically opposed to an elevated route above Hendricks. Connecting the current Kings Ave Station to the square or even down to University via Trolly would likely be the best bet.

I doubt Riverside would have an issue with an elevated route heading into Five Points or to Stockton St, so I can see an actual Skyway extension to that neighborhood.

The FEC line through San Marco makes streetcar an impossibility some sort of elevated track has to cross the rail line before it can transition to an at grade system.  Some pioneers are trying to start a long term conversation of burying the FEC line from Atlantic to the bridge.  Try to drive down Hendricks to work on a weekday and you'll see why this is an idea worth considering. 

[E_Dubya]

An elevated route will never make it to Riverside. If new cars are APM, expansion will be limited. If something that can operate at grade, without blocking streets, you could literally expand anywhere you want to go.

Absolutely. The question is how much street space it would take up. The widening of Park Street in Brooklyn lends itself to that. The following issue is: do you run the APM West on Forest Street once Park narrows, or you you remove two lanes after the intersection of Forest? Do you widen Edison in order to connect to Stockton, or do you keep the extension minimal? I'll be itnerested to see what, if anything substantial, comes of this. I've learned to keep my hopes in check when it comes to public transit in Jax.

[E_Dubya]

I wonder if any of this will incorporate Streetcar. I know that the folks of San Marco (assuming the extension would go out there) will likely be diametrically opposed to an elevated route above Hendricks. Connecting the current Kings Ave Station to the square or even down to University via Trolly would likely be the best bet.

I doubt Riverside would have an issue with an elevated route heading into Five Points or to Stockton St, so I can see an actual Skyway extension to that neighborhood.

The FEC line through San Marco makes streetcar an impossibility some sort of elevated track has to cross the rail line before it can transition to an at grade system.  Some pioneers are trying to start a long term conversation of burying the FEC line from Atlantic to the bridge.  Try to drive down Hendricks to work on a weekday and you'll see why this is an idea worth considering.

That's my evening route home. I forgot the FEC line completely, despite the fact that it catches me just about every day. Thank you for pointing that out!