2030 Mobility Plan: Pedestrian Network

[urbanlibertarian]

Oops! Map didn't show.

[Mattius92]

The Mathews Bridge is a hellhole anyways. Traffic down Arlington X-way and Atlantic is pitiful. Something needs to be done about it. Too bad there isn't any rail lines that way.

[thelakelander]

Yes, the new bridge will include a multi use path.

[urbanlibertarian]

A new Matthews Bridge is a committed project?

[Mattius92]

Yes, the new bridge will include a multi use path.

Please tell me they are going to get rid of the piece o' crap. It was built in the 1950's for heavens sake. It went over-capacity in like the 80's that's 30 years ago. 

[thelakelander]

I don't know but I hope not.  That's a pretty unique and beautiful truss bridge.  I wouldn't mind seeing it stay as a twin span to a new bridge.

[Mattius92]

I don't know but I hope not.  That's a pretty unique and beautiful truss bridge.  I wouldn't mind seeing it stay as a twin span to a new bridge.

After reading this: http://www.mathewsbridge.com/master.asp?menuChoice=whatsPDE It says there are three options.

Potential Option 1: Single Bridge Option
- Alignment Parallel to Existing Bridge
- 8 Vehicle Lanes, Transit
- Replace Existing Bridge

Potential Option 2: Separate Vehicle and Transit Bridges
- Alignment Parallel to Existing Bridge
- 8 Vehicle Lanes
- Provide Transit Crossing on Rehabilitated Existing Bridge

Potential Option 3: Phased Bridge Construction
- Construct 4-Lane Bridge
- 4 Lanes of Traffic on New Bridge
- Transit Envelope on Initial Bridge

So they might keep the bridge but add a second span next to it. What I like the most is they include transit, which is smart.

[tufsu1]

Note that the new USDOT Complete Streets Policy recommends pedestrian features be included in some way on bridge projects, even limited access facilities.

Mattius...the Mathews PD&E study was never completed...the recently passed 2035 LRTP calls for a bridge with 6 general use lanes and 2 transit/special use lanes....construction funding was shown in the far out years of the plan (2030 - 2035) so don't look for a new bridge anytime soon.

That said, I learned recently that when the painting of the Hart is finished, FDOT will start on the Mathews...apparently they'll also be redoing all the bolts and such...unlike the Hart, they won't be closing it on weekend so expect the project to take 3+ years.

[jrwjax]

It probably would be safer if people actually walked on the sidewalks. Where I live in Springfield, so many people just walk down the middle of the street, even though there are perfectly good sidewalks.  Baffling

[Ocklawaha]

Couple of Trolley Guy observations:

Philips Highway (Southern half)
North Main Street (above Trout River)
Roosevelt Blvd
Beaver Street West

All four are along future streetcar, light rail, commuter rail, Amtrak or BRT mass transit routes. These transit routes are among those that it's fairly safe to say will be on the ground sooner then later.  I would think that alone warrants a extreme need to buff up our access to these transit routes. Rail is the ultimate step above bus, and the worst situation we could have would be one in which the pedestrian would entrain or detrain and plop into a massive puddle that swallows them up, never to return to transit again.

Several charettes demonstrated the concept, route and NEED for a trans-southside pedestrian corridor that is already largely city owned.  The route that was mapped and one that drew rave reviews was a trail - sidewalk - boardwalk system that started in Arlington at Merrill Road and follows MILL CREEK, POTTSBURG CREEK and JULINGTON CREEK all the way to Mandarin.  Built to at least the standards of the Baldwin Rail Trail, this scenic route would likely become one of the crown jewels and a MUST EXPERIENCE trail for hikers-bikers-pedestrians from throughout the nation.

Myrtle Avenue between Bay and Forest is in need of a complete face lift. An urban streetscape project with new drainage, pumps, lighting and sidewalks would bring the beautiful old historic building blocks South of the railroad terminal back to life.  If the Riverside streetcar line were to be routed back down this same historically accurate car line/route, this could set off the long awaited boom in Brooklyn.  The beauty of Myrtle as both a streetcar and pedestrian corridor is obvious when one considers...

less vehicular traffic

historical building stock

historical subway

clears up the long suffering drainage problems

better access to McCoys creek greenway

Civil War Battlefield

Potential park sites

Draws new development into Brooklyn EVENLY distributed between a future Skyway Route from Forest to Bay via Riverside Avenue, a Bus or BRT corridor on Park, Streetcar Corridor on Myrtle.

Set's up Durkeeville as future streetcar territory with a simple extension up Myrtle. I would suggest that extension run from the Small Ballpark to Bay and include the balance of Myrtle in Streetscaping. (Another Civil War Battlefield park opportunity at the Brick Church Site)


OCKLAWAHA  

[stjr]

Note that the new USDOT Complete Streets Policy recommends pedestrian features be included in some way on bridge projects, even limited access facilities.

This is an interesting comment, Tufsu, considering the heavy flak I got for pushing this for a better designed Fuller Warren Bridge (see the MJ thread at http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,4347.0.html ).  Here is one comment from you, even, Tufsu:

Interstates can not have bikes or peds...its just that simple! 

Adding a pedestrian feature to the Fuller Warren would give us some of the most outstanding vistas of the downtown skyline and the sun setting over the wider sections of the St. Johns.  Imagine such access tied to RAM and the Riverwalks on either side.

[thelakelander]

Couple of Trolley Guy observations:

Philips Highway (Southern half)
North Main Street (above Trout River)
Roosevelt Blvd
Beaver Street West

Speaking of Beaver Street, that's a corridor with strong potential that many overlook.  With the farmer's market continuing to expand, urban building fabric and the heavy presence of food related distribution and cold storage facilities, with a little public coordination that stretch could easily become a unique urban wholesale market style district.  I think to make such an idea work, Beaver would have to be reduced to two lanes between the viaduct and McDuff to slow traffic down and accommodate parallel parking, wider sidewalks, landscaping and bike lanes.



Another not mentioned is Kings Road from the proposed commuter rail line up to MLK Parkway.  With EWC as an anchor and urban fabric already in place, a complete streets makeover would be huge for one of Jacksonville's most dense and transit dependent communities.  There, people will be more likely to embrace and take advantage of non-auto oriented transportation options, thus generating additional traffic along the corridor to attract more retail and services.

[Charles Hunter]

C'mon guys, when tufsu1 wrote that - that was the USDOT policy, no pedestrians on Interstates, including bridges; the new USDOT Secretary has changed the policy to encourage looking at it.  You can't (well, you can, because you have) fault tufsu1 for an old statement because the policy has changed in the interim.

[thelakelander]

^I think he just did a poor job of explaining it.  As evidenced by the bridges in Pittsburgh, those facilities need to be separated by barriers so automobiles, pedestrians and cyclist never mix.  So it really wasn't a 100% you can't have it situation.  It seems like it was a something that could be accommodated if the right design (complete streets maybe?) was implemented.


Walking along I-277 in Pittsburgh last Summer.

[tufsu1]

C'mon guys, when tufsu1 wrote that - that was the USDOT policy, no pedestrians on Interstates, including bridges; the new USDOT Secretary has changed the policy to encourage looking at it.  You can't (well, you can, because you have) fault tufsu1 for an old statement because the policy has changed in the interim.

exactly Charles...

and yes Lake, I did do a bad job of explaining it but do stand by my original statement....you can't have sidewalks/trails as part of an interstate facility...even the concrete barrier separating the sidewalk from the road on the Acosta bridge would not be sufficient (as it is easy too jump over).

As the picture from Pittsburgh shows, the pedestrian features are physically separated from the road....and in the case of the Suncoast Parkway in Tampa, they have a 15+ foot high fence and at least 100' lateral distance separating the trail from the highway.