FDOT Misguiding Public on Fuller Warren Bridge Project?

[icarus]

The same reason they essentially provided two means to merge on 95 South past Stockton. They want to eliminate all cross lane traffic to reach exits. Its dangerous and contributes to congestion.

[urbanlibertarian]

Why would they bother responding to local concerns?  Isn't FDOT omnipotent?

[edjax]

Are they going back to look at changes again based upon the meeting?  Or was it just a thanks for the input and we now move forward? 

[thelakelander]

Shannon Blankinship was the young intelligent lady speaking on behalf of the river and McCoys Creek. She did a great job.

[urbaknight]

I certainly hope that they do add the bicycle/pedestrian path on the FWB. My favorite view of DT is when crossing that bridge. To be able to cross on foot or bike would be just wonderful!

[thelakelander]

Are they going back to look at changes again based upon the meeting?  Or was it just a thanks for the input and we now move forward? 

Continue to hold their feet to the fire and you'll end up with something decent. Let them go at this alone and you'll end up with an auto centric product that negatively impacts everything that doesn't run on gasoline.

[thelakelander]

I certainly hope that they do add the bicycle/pedestrian path on the FWB. My favorite view of DT is when crossing that bridge. To be able to cross on foot or bike would be just wonderful!

Given the location and manageable slopes, it would be a decent attraction...just like the one in Charleston.

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

Are they going back to look at changes again based upon the meeting?  Or was it just a thanks for the input and we now move forward? 

Continue to hold their feet to the fire and you'll end up with something decent. Let them go at this alone and you'll end up with an auto centric product that negatively impacts everything that doesn't run on gasoline.

Indeed, it's up to us to hold their feet and attention to the fire.

Because of the large and vocal response from citizens at the meeting about the need to take bicycle lames / multi use paths are desired and required, then the next time they are in the very early stages of road planning, they will take cyclists and pedestrians into consideration without laughing us off the table.

[Tacachale]

^Very much. It's a good idea to let our city council representatives know this is valued; as I said before the FDOT should have a bike/ped improvement when they come in the door, before any real consideration is given one way or the other. In fact, this article is a good thing to give to our representatives so they can see these improvements are simple and entirely feasible. Fortunately, it sounds like they understand the issues at hand, so it's not like we're moving mountains here.

[tayana42]

In a recent speech, the Mayor of Oklahoma City said, "We had built an incredible quality of life.....if you were a car".
He goes on to say that their concern for their obesity problem, they built bicycle paths, pedestrian walkways and sidewalks, and more parks.

http://www.ted.com/talks/mick_cornett_how_an_obese_town_lost_a_million_pounds.html 

We need that kind of thinking in our city.

[icarus]

In a recent speech, the Mayor of Oklahoma City said, "We had built an incredible quality of life.....if you were a car".
He goes on to say that their concern for their obesity problem, they built bicycle paths, pedestrian walkways and sidewalks, and more parks.

http://www.ted.com/talks/mick_cornett_how_an_obese_town_lost_a_million_pounds.html 

We need that kind of thinking in our city.

+100

[Noone]

The canal along I-595? It's been that way for decades now. I doubt the canal is natural as well. I'm pretty sure it was one of many that helped drain the Everglades to allow for most of the sprawl in that section of Broward County.

Respectfully disagree. Was at the Main St. Bridge yesterday and noticed the beautiful Spartina grass that is next to MOSH and the Main St. bridge. And if it's not Spartina grass than someone correct me. With the freezes it's brown but what a jewel that has been unearthed with the peeling away of the Southbank Riverwalk. It has had decades to develop and mature. You just don't replace this stuff with the snap of a finger.

DIA Board member Melody Bishop at a recent DIA Board meeting mentioned that MOSH may be interested in this for a kayak launch. Super! I hope it happens. Let us all cross our fingers that the plan isn't to tear out this and concrete it over. This project was never before Waterways.

There is a meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission in council chambers today in 2 hours 9am. What another gift horse for Downtown Development.

[thelakelander]

You don't have to agree. It's either fact or fiction. If you've seen it in person, it's pretty easy to see it's not natural:

Prior to the 20th century, the New River originated in the Everglades as two streams, the North Fork and South Fork, which merged and flowed about three miles into Lake Mabel, a coastal lagoon. The river was heavily modified in the first half of the 20th century. The North Fork was extended as the C-12 Canal along present-day Sunrise Boulevard, while the South Fork was extended by two canals: the G-15 or North New River Canal (created by 1912 to help drain the Everglades) and the C-11 or South New River Canal, which connects to the Miami Canal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_River_(Broward_County,_Florida)

[Noone]

Still as you seek to retain old structures the same can be said for our Waterways and trees that provide a canopy. Lets  all get excited about that rocky bank.

[thelakelander]

Ok. I never said I wasn't happy for them utilizing G-15 as a greenway. I've actually used the I-595 expansion project as an example of what our FDOT district should be doing instead of being so auto centric focused. That project adds a shared use path along the canal, 3 express bus lines, a spot for future elevated fixed rail and reversible express lanes.