Massive I-95/JTB Expansion Project Underway

[southsider1015]

The only issues I am aware of is that the outside diameter of the north circle ramps is not consistent.  The issue has been most pronounced on the JTB West ramp to Southside southbound.

JTA had replaced the inside lightpole by my count 13 times in 2 years due to people advancing on the ramp to fast and losing control. In 2014 JTA finally moved the lightpole back 30 yards to keep from having to replace it so often. So even though they have adequate speed reduction signs, there really isnt enough length to the transition lane on JTB.

They need to increase the pitch on these ramps because due to property lines, they cant increase the diameter.

As we've both mentioned, the horizontal geometry does not meet criteria.  But not because it's inconsistent.  This is known as a spiral or compound curve, depending on who you ask.  This isn't necessarily a flaw in the design, in fact, using multiple curves allows a driver to adjust speed throughout the turning movement, which can be helpful when accelerating or decelerating to merge (weave) with traffic.

To my knowledge, the poles are owned and maintained by FDOT, not JTA.  I might be wrong on this interchange, but typically FDOT constructs/owns/maintain these if they serve FDOT facilities (WB to SB ramp). 

As I mentioned, due to the short weave length, vehicles cannot slow down or speed down enough to safely merge/weave with traffic from the NB to WB movement.  Driver expectancy is another issue, as the interchange geometry isn't consistent with most of the other interchanges in the area.

I don't mean to sound like a "know-it-all" but frankly, I do.  There's plenty wrong with this interchange, and I'm ready to see some improvements made.

[Charles Hunter]

Correct, southsider, JTA does not maintain any roadways.  Even if they built them a long time ago (like JTB).  When the tolls were still in effect, I think they did maintain the toll portions of the highways.  For example the Fuller Warren and Trout River Bridges, but not I-95 between them.  WHen the tolls were removed, they stopped maintaining any roads.  And, yes, no one builds cloverleaf interchanges anymore, mainly due to the conflict between the entering and exiting traffic.

[jcjohnpaint]

Have been seeing a type of these all over Charlotte.  Pretty interesting. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFFMB96MUYs&index=13&list=PLbyKDhz7jvE9odnGX_t_cmQF2L55QfBrZ

[southsider1015]

Have been seeing a type of these all over Charlotte.  Pretty interesting. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFFMB96MUYs&index=13&list=PLbyKDhz7jvE9odnGX_t_cmQF2L55QfBrZ

A half DDI has been approved and is currently under construction on SR 23 at Oakleaf Plantation Parkway as part of the FCX project.  FDOT is looking at using this interchange design throughout the state.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24jMVZszPTY

[ProjectMaximus]

I don't mean to sound like a "know-it-all" but frankly, I do.  There's plenty wrong with this interchange, and I'm ready to see some improvements made.

Thanks for sharing! You do sound like a know-it-all, but not in a bad way. 

[Charles Hunter]

The DOT is looking at a DDI for SR A1A and I-95 in Nassau County.

[thelakelander]

I don't mean to sound like a "know-it-all" but frankly, I do.  There's plenty wrong with this interchange, and I'm ready to see some improvements made.

What's your opinion of the Southside Boulevard Vision Plan's solution for this interchange?

[Charles Hunter]

I have forgotten, from when I looked at the vision plan - do the developers just get the land where the loops are to be removed gratis? 

[thelakelander]

Good question!

[southsider1015]

I have forgotten, from when I looked at the vision plan - do the developers just get the land where the loops are to be removed gratis?

Even if this concept were to be fully studied, approved, funded, and constructed, the land would never be just given to developers.  Not sure if you're trying to be coy, but there would obviously be negotiations and deals to encourage the type of desired development.

[Charles Hunter]

Not coy.  Cynical about Jacksonville and Florida politics.

[southsider1015]

I don't mean to sound like a "know-it-all" but frankly, I do.  There's plenty wrong with this interchange, and I'm ready to see some improvements made.

What's your opinion of the Southside Boulevard Vision Plan's solution for this interchange?

Assuming the traffic analysis demonstrated a similar level of service for Southside Blvd traffic, it "looks" great.  Adding two traffic lights for "traffic calming" sounds interesting, and it does spark some thought about how this corridor COULD function.  The weave movements are removed, and the tight radii curves are gone, so safety would very likely increase.  The concept is meant to invoke some creative thinking about how to incorporate the adjacent developments.  It certainly does in my head.

I'd also consider a SPUI given the tight ROW, assuming Southside Blvd traffic can handle another signalized intersection.  And if so,  possibly a DDI, but that would really be pushing it.

I don't want to be critical of a VISIONING plan. I respect the hard work that went into the concepts, as well as the criticism that the authors took in presenting this document.  It comes with the territory, obviously, but some of the comments were a bit extreme and personal, and didn't help add to the conversation.

Anyway, I'd love to work on this interchange one day, since I drive it weekly.  It'd be interesting to see what we could do with more information like survey and traffic counts.

[southsider1015]

Not coy.  Cynical about Jacksonville and Florida politics.

Can't say I disagree.  I'll leave it at that.

[thelakelander]

FDOT hosts open house for I-95 and Butler Boulevard interchange improvements

Jacksonville – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is hosting an open house Wednesday, January 21 from 5-7 p.m. at the Best Western Hotel located at 4660 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville for the Interstate 95 and J. Turner Butler Boulevard interchange improvements project.

This is an informal meeting in which those interested can drop by anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. for project information including time frame, construction activities, traffic impacts and other project details. Project staff will be available at the meeting to answer questions. Since this is an informal open house, no presentation will be made.

The contractor, SEMA Construction, began work on the $67 million project in December with surveying, taking soil samples and clearing land to construct noise walls, utilities and drainage ponds. The project is designed to improve traffic flow at the Interstate 95 and Butler Boulevard interchange.


Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or family status as FDOT complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should call Ron Tittle at (904) 360-5457 or e-mail Ron.Tittle@dot.state.fl.us prior to the meeting. (Si prefiere recibir esta carta en español, por favor contacte Esther Murray a las (904) 360-5348. Referencia:
FM # 416501-4-22-01).

For more information regarding FDOT projects around the Northeast Florida area please visit http://nflroads.com. Follow FDOT on Twitter @MyFDOT_NEFL or http://twitter.com/MyFDOT_NEFL and http://facebook.com/MyFDOTNEFL for the latest updates.

[David]

They finally listened to my foursquare tip from 2011!

J. Turner Butler Blvd & Interstate 95
DOT - build a fly-over already! · January 5, 2011