Do you wish Jacksonville had Commuter Rail?

[tufsu1]

I can report that the vast majority of folks who attended the TPO LRTP workshops want rail....the next step is to adopt the Needs Plan (in 2 weeks) and then start allocating the limited funds to projects.

The good news is I think several of the proposed transit projects will make the final list

[thelakelander]

Did anyone want the northern version of the Outer Beltway?

[tufsu1]

not really....some of the folks in Nassau seemed ok with it...and for now it is still on the map....but I doubt very strongly that it will make the final cost feasible list....its more like an idea for 3050 or 2060 (assuming we keep growing the same way)

[Lunican]

What's wrong with 301? Why do we need an outer beltway that parallels it?

[tufsu1]

we don't....but some folks want it instead of widening 301

[tufsu1]

not that I know of....some were just citizens that think expressways are a good thing (keep in mind that most Americans felt the same way up until about 10 years ago).

[Lunican]

We can't justify spending billions of dollars because "some folks" want it. It should not even be considered.

[stjr]

Tufsu, were any doubts expressed about the now proposed Outer Beltway or 9B?  Any chance these projects drop down or out on the list?

How are street cars and commuter rail ranking versus messing with the $ky-high-way?  Hopefully, they are rising while the $ky-high-way drops.  I am encouraged by the emphasis of recent posts on prioritizing street cars and commuter rail over BRT and $ky-high-way.

The above seems to me to be common sense and I hope others come around, especially the TPO.  Let's do the right thing, not the political thing.

[tufsu1]

Here's the deal folks.

1 Northern Outer Beltway - there is a feasibility study underway...hopefully the results will show that it is not needed anytime soon...and it can be dropped....but, as some have stated, why not do the study it and prepare for the far out future...if it might be needed someday, wouldn't it be nice to get the land before its too expensive?

2. Outer Beltyway - this will be put out to bid by FDOT sometime in the next year....we'll see how may (if any) builders submit....if not, FDOTr says they won't be building it

3. 9B - I'm pretty sure that's still happening....it is the #1 priority for the folks in St. Johns County

4. Most of the transit projects are popular....but one thing to note about the skyway....the main system is built, so extensions are relatively inexpensive....especially as compared with starting a whole new commutre rail or streetcar system....but don't wory stjr, that won't be the only deciding factor

[Ocklawaha]

Thanks tufsu1, I was dreaming that someone in the "Know," would tell the city that any expansion of the Skyway would be far cheaper then starting from scratch. I've been preaching and teaching that the damned thing needn't cost us the baby and the bath just to add a mile or so on each end.

Stadiums, San Marco (Atlantic at FEC RY), Riverside, Shand's and maybe even Durkeeville/farm market. At that point we can cut and run with streetcar and BRT, tied to commuter rail. When all of these components work in harmony we'll be the only Southern City with a frick'n transportation symphony.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Ock, the only Skyway extensions identified in the Needs Plan are the Riverside Ave and Kings Ave/San Marco corridors.  All the other routes you mentioned are a no go this round.

[Charles Hunter]

Thanks, lake -
Here is the link to the list going into the public meetings:
http://www.firstcoastmpo.com/envision2035/docs/7-30-09/Needs_Plan_Potential_Project_List.pdf
the transit projects are on the last page.  I think more have been added during the public meetings, but not added to the online list.

[Ocklawaha]

Ock, the only Skyway extensions identified in the Needs Plan are the Riverside Ave and Kings Ave/San Marco corridors.  All the other routes you mentioned are a no go this round.

I didn't think I indicated that these we're part of the TPO list. Sorry for the confusion y'all. I am just staying with my recomended routes for the Skyway, and the only additional routes I could ever imagine (and only if these first additions caused the little system to spring to life) would be:

Baptist Medical Center
St. Vincents Medical Center
Memorial Hospital via Atlantic and Beach
JU via a new bridge or tunnel
Farm Market on Beaver via the JTA yard (*and OVER the "S" line)

These extensions long after 5-Points, Shand's, Stadium, San Marco (Atlantic at the FEC RY platform) and Riverside. There may be some distant call for extending up to Gateway Plaza area, but I can't imagine Light Rail or Streetcar or even BRT not being able to handle that demand.

The only wildcard in this basket of "maybe routes," is the new courthouse.

OCKLAWAHA

[tufsu1]

Thanks, lake -
Here is the link to the list going into the public meetings:
http://www.firstcoastmpo.com/envision2035/docs/7-30-09/Needs_Plan_Potential_Project_List.pdf
the transit projects are on the last page.  I think more have been added during the public meetings, but not added to the online list.

there are about 15 more roadway/interchange projects....the transit projects list is complete.

[mtraininjax]

Rail dollars are falling from the sky or they grow on trees, perhaps, if you are in fantasyland. When the JTA cannot spend enough money for a flyover from 95 S to JTB E, it means trouble in the budget, so they will instead widen 95 and create turn-only lanes.

Not that the Southside area does not have plenty of vacant buildings, when the next growth spurt takes place, with nothing to satisfy the road nazis, will JTA have a plan that includes more buses up and down JTB?