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

[coredumped]

Mandarin is inner city? I don't think it could be further. In fact, if it was any further it would be out side of the county. It's not even in the beltway.

At any rate, they could have included plans like the bike trail in Tampa.

[cline]

Also, up next, I-295 Express from 9B to JTB.  The Design-Build process is just now kicking off.  The original concepts are public information, and could be requested and reported on MJ. Hint hint hint.

Uh yea...the next phases that we have already been discussing here? Feel free to post them. Have a feeling they will be very similar to the plans for phase 1.

Lake, there are concepts that propose to build a continuous, longitudinal bridge with pier columns located in the mediam, elevating the managed lanes above the general use lanes.  This is only solution which would have saved the trees, due to the number of lanes proposed.  so instead of building out, it's building up. 

Are you referring to the original BRT plans down 95 which showed that? I don't recall plans showing elevated managed lanes on I-295.

[southsider1015]

I'm pretty sure we've been discussing the Mandarin section (Buckman to I-95).

I'm referring to the next phase, 9B to JTB.  It's a similar typical section: 4 managed lanes in the tangent segment, with ingress/egress at 9B and JTB.  The people who use the Gate Pkwy and Baymeadows exits won't be able to use the managed lanes, similar to the Mandarin residents.  Sound walls are proposed, and some trees will be removed.

No, I'm not referring to BRT at all.  You haven't seen plans because no one has wasted time drawing the plans.  But it IS a cinception that is discussed and thought through during the PD&E process, especially if ROW is an issue.  I just thought I'd bring it up since technically it would solve the tree problem.

[tufsu1]

^ I have a better solution.....at some point we need to STOP widening our highways!

I'd love to see the data that supports the demand for 4 toll express lanes on I-295 from SR 13 to I-95....oh wait, that's right.....the demand isn't there....which is why FDOT will start by striping 2 of the lanes out and charging a minimal price (like $0.25).

[cline]

I'm pretty sure we've been discussing the Mandarin section (Buckman to I-95).

I'm referring to the next phase, 9B to JTB.  It's a similar typical section: 4 managed lanes in the tangent segment, with ingress/egress at 9B and JTB.  The people who use the Gate Pkwy and Baymeadows exits won't be able to use the managed lanes, similar to the Mandarin residents.  Sound walls are proposed, and some trees will be removed.

No, I'm not referring to BRT at all.  You haven't seen plans because no one has wasted time drawing the plans.  But it IS a cinception that is discussed and thought through during the PD&E process, especially if ROW is an issue.  I just thought I'd bring it up since technically it would solve the tree problem.

I think we've been talking about the Mandarin section but also in the context of the overall 3 segment managed lanes project. 

The reason I brought up the BRT elevated section is because that was the original plan- I believe drawings were made.  I know I've seen a typical section somewhere.  It was rightfully shot down.  But yes, no worries about trees with that thing. 

[thelakelander]

^ I have a better solution.....at some point we need to STOP widening our highways!

Very interesting solution.....

[pierre]

Not going to happen as long as politicians can claim road widening as "job creators".

[southsider1015]

^ I have a better solution.....at some point we need to STOP widening our highways!

I'd love to see the data that supports the demand for 4 toll express lanes on I-295 from SR 13 to I-95....oh wait, that's right.....the demand isn't there....which is why FDOT will start by striping 2 of the lanes out and charging a minimal price (like $0.25).

http://www.northfloridaexpress.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/I-295PERDraftFinal.pdf

You're welcome.

[Know Growth]

"Projected" demand. By whom,and under what assumption?

[tufsu1]

^ I have a better solution.....at some point we need to STOP widening our highways!

I'd love to see the data that supports the demand for 4 toll express lanes on I-295 from SR 13 to I-95....oh wait, that's right.....the demand isn't there....which is why FDOT will start by striping 2 of the lanes out and charging a minimal price (like $0.25).

http://www.northfloridaexpress.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/I-295PERDraftFinal.pdf

You're welcome.

you do realize the PER has little to no traffic demand data in it right?

also note that the PER shows only 1 express lane lane per direction...guess you weren't around for the discussion that showed demand only for an extra 2 lanes....and only if they were minimally tolled.

these lanes are bound to fail because they have to end 2 miles before I-95 going eastbound...which of course will set up the argument requiring a left side exit onto 95 so the express lanes can function properly.

FDOT is intent on building these things all over the state

[David]

45 minutes to drive 19 miles this morning, no wrecks either. Just general congestion.  Not the worst in the country I know but the pain on 295 is real.

295 is only a portion of the problem though, (for my route) 95 north was slow from 295 up past University, then again past Emerson all the way into downtown. Are they going to slap 4 extra express lanes onto that route too?

[Tacachale]

Nothing against the people who chose to live out there, but at some point we just have to get smarter about managing our traffic and sprawl. It kind of sucks that we're continually widening roads on the outskirts - and now adding Lexus lanes - when we have so many transportation problems in the city core.

A few months ago Liberty Street flooded, as it does all the time even when there's no rain, and the puddle destroyed my engine. Our urban core infrastructure literally killed my car. We can't maintain even the basics, and yet we continually find billions of dollars for new roads in the outskirts.

[tufsu1]

45 minutes to drive 19 miles this morning, no wrecks either. Just general congestion.  Not the worst in the country I know but the pain on 295 is real.

295 is only a portion of the problem though, (for my route) 95 north was slow from 295 up past University, then again past Emerson all the way into downtown. Are they going to slap 4 extra express lanes onto that route too?

and therein lies the problem....there are no plans to widen I-95 into town....and because you have to get from the left side express lane on I-295 to the right side flyover ramp, the merge/weave problem will negate the benefits of the express lane....it is set up for failure!

[David]

Yep. It sounds like the I-10/I-95 interchange all over again.

[thelakelander]

The best thing for I-295 would have been another river crossing north of Green Cove Springs. Half of the perceived traffic problems are probably significantly influenced by drivers attempting to cross the river. Considering our growth patterns the last few decades, this means it's either the Buckman or the Fuller Warren. This is one area where the First Coast Expressway could have helped. Unfortunately, some strange type of way, we're going to end up replacing the Shands Bridge instead.