Mandarin residents see I-295 edge closer to homes; bypassed by benefit

[thelakelander]

Correct me if I'm wrong lake, but isn't the Suncoast trail funded by someone other than the highway (someone other than FDOT?). If that is the case, who would be the one to fund it here for us?

I don't know about the history of Suncoast Trail funding but the New River Greenway in Broward County was funded by FDOT as a part of the I-595 Express Lane project. So there's precedence already.

I will only partially agree with you on this point.  This project, viewed by itself, probably won't have a huge effect.  That said, it is obviously a cog in a larger wheel that, when viewed collectively with the other managed lane projects on I-295, could have a real impact.  This project would have been much more effective had it extended across the Buckman past 17 however, that would require widening the Buckman which would increase costs exponentially (although it is quite clear that this project will be a catalyst for the eventual widening of the bridge).

Assuming a developing a balanced transportation network was really a priority, in the event express lanes crossed the Buckman, they'd become a prefect transit corridor between Orange Park/Clay County and the Southside. Since we're spending all the cash to widen, might as well throw in a  parallel shared use facility (aka. Suncoast Parkway Trail or New River Greenway as a part of the I-595 Express Lane projects).

Sort of like, give the impacted communities an amenity they can actually use, which can also serve as a mobility alternative to keep some of the short auto trips off the highways.

I think that's a great idea.  Are there any JTA routes that utilize I-295?  If so, would they be able to use the express lanes free of charge?

I believe JTA would have to pay to use the express lanes. I think that's how it works with Broward County Transit and I-595's express lanes.
Also, people say we hate taxes but this is basically how the BJP got passed. It included a mix of things and items that the majority of the local population identified as being beneficial to them.

[cline]

I don't think its so much that people hate taxes.  I think people get bent when we say we're going to raise taxes but nothing is said about what exactly the increase in taxes is going to pay for.  You're right about the BJP.  People voted for it because it spelled out exactly where this tax increase was going towards and those things included a mix of all sorts of different projects that were specifically called out.  It wasn't just "we're going to spend some money on some transportation project and some cultural projects and some whatever whatever".  People could get behind it knowing there was going to be a new library built or a new baseball park or even a new overpass at Kernan and Atlantic or whatever.

[tufsu1]

The Suncoast Trail was constructed and is maintained by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (a subset of FDOT).

As to the question of buses in express lanes, they are allowed on I-95 in Miami because of the way those lanes were built.  Elsewhere in the state, FDOT has balked at allowing them in...and at a minimum, are requiring they pay a fee to use the lanes.

[cline]

The Suncoast Trail was constructed and is maintained by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (a subset of FDOT).

As to the question of buses in express lanes, they are allowed on I-95 in Miami because of the way those lanes were built.  Elsewhere in the state, FDOT has balked at allowing them in...and at a minimum, are requiring they pay a fee to use the lanes.

If FDOT really wants a multimodal transportation system then they should embrace the idea of public transit using the express lanes (for free).  Less cars on the road and will keep the LOS up on the non-free lanes.

[southsider1015]

The Suncoast Trail was constructed and is maintained by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (a subset of FDOT).

As to the question of buses in express lanes, they are allowed on I-95 in Miami because of the way those lanes were built.  Elsewhere in the state, FDOT has balked at allowing them in...and at a minimum, are requiring they pay a fee to use the lanes.

If FDOT really wants a multimodal transportation system then they should embrace the idea of public transit using the express lanes (for free).  Less cars on the road and will keep the LOS up on the non-free lanes.

My understanding of this issue is that large transit buses will potentially slow traffic flow, similar to semi-tractor trailers and other typically slower moving vehicles.  Plus, transit should be providing more local trips, rather than larger regional trips, so the lack of access to individual exits makes it useless.  Again, just my understanding of it. 

[thelakelander]

Hmm.





Broward County Transit is running buses between their suburbs and downtown Fort Lauderdale on I-595's recently completed managed lanes.  In Miami-Dade, they do the same on I-95.



I-95 Express Bus  - Miami

I figure the same scenario would be possible between residential heavy Clay County and the commercial dominated Southside. The bus would be making the same trip as the individual riders using the managed lanes. Such a transit route would be more effective then taking a bus from Clay up to DT, transferring and then from DT down to the Southside.

[southsider1015]

Hmm.





Broward County Transit is running buses between their suburbs and downtown Fort Lauderdale on I-595's recently completed managed lanes.  In Miami-Dade, they do the same on I-95.



I-95 Express Bus  - Miami

I figure the same scenario would be possible between residential heavy Clay County and the commercial dominated Southside. The bus would be making the same trip as the individual riders using the managed lanes. Such a transit route would be more effective then taking a bus from Clay up to DT, transferring and then from DT down to the Southside.

Thanks.  I agree, that sounds like a nice idea.  Is JTA up to it though?  And what sort of ridership would we see feom Clay County?

Also, does Broward County Transit get charged?

[thelakelander]

Not sure about JTA. I believe BCT pays FDOT.

[coredumped]

People (probably none of those that went the the public hearings) are upset:

Some residents in Mandarin are upset with the Florida Department of Transportation after construction work on a five-mile stretch of Interstate 295 led to the destruction of a large number of trees.

Groups are calling for action by FDOT to address concern arising from projects impacting landscape and the Mandarin community.

"The noise is so loud we can barely hear ourselves and we are within one or two feet of each other," said Susan Caven, president of Scenic Jacksonville Inc. "What if you lived here? What if you lived along the 5-mile road of 295 and this is what you get?

Construction along a 5.7-mile stretch of I-295, just east of the Buckman Bridge and just west of I-95, has locals angry because FDOT has knocked down hundreds of trees, leaving an empty field eyesore..

"They have worked so hard for so long to keep a look in Mandarin," Caven said. "And they are so proud of their trees and to come and just mow them down is such a blow."

The current six lanes are being expanded to ten travel lanes, including toll lanes. Heidi Chanatry has lived in Mandarin since 1985 and said the cleared land is devastating.

"It was shocking; it was heartbreaking to see what they had done," Chanatry said.

Jacksonville Environmental and Civic Organizations say they want FDOT to:

   * Fully mitigate for the environmental damage created by the project
   * Ensure the new sound walls will be green and decorative. 
   * Ensure all revenues from the toll scheme stay in Jacksonville.
   * Ensure landscaping plans are prepared and are available for review at the front end of future toll projects.
   * Undertake a closer review of the need for toll lanes


FDOT said it will consider the community's complaints.

"We will take the input and our folks will look at it and do what we can with it and we listen to the concerns," FDOT spokesman Ron Tittle said. "We are concerned."

Tittle said FDOT did hold a public meeting and shared its plans with about 100 people who showed up.

The project just started and is supposed to be complete in 2016.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/tree-removal-angers-mandarin-residents/31010020

[thelakelander]

This is why it's important to attend public meetings. The plans on display would have shown what is being built now. So if these residents had attended, they could have possiblyaltered the final design to their benefit.

[cline]

This is why it's important to attend public meetings. The plans on display would have shown what is being built now. So if these residents had attended, they could have possiblyaltered the final design to their benefit.

Yes.  This project is nothing new but that's kind of how it always goes.  People don't tend to care until the dirt starts moving. That said, they're constructing noise walls so while the noise is loud now it will be temporary until they are constructed.  Those suggestions should have been presented to FDOT long ago however. It is pretty shocking to see the different look now that the trees are gone.  That said, it doesn't change the fact that many of the homes were build within a couple hundred feet of an interstate- trees or no trees.

[thelakelander]

Yeah. The I-95/JTB interchange looks completely different without its trees, as well.

[coredumped]

Mandarin had (and still does further down San Jose) a nice feel to it with all the trees for still being in town. You don't get that look in Southside. It's a shame these trees are gone, and for such a useless reason too.

[David]

^ just moved to the far southern end of Mandarin and I agree. The bike rides and jogs are pretty nice around that area with all of the scenery, it's just the getting there part. San Jose and 295 are not my friends. I take 17 to avoid the congestion and it's slightly faster some days.

[tufsu1]

I am very impressed with what Tommy Hazzouri posted on his campaign Facebook page yesterday about this.

https://www.facebook.com/tommyforjax?fref=nf