Riverplace Blvd Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements

[Metro Jacksonville]

Riverplace Blvd Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements



Metro Jacksonville takes a look at the Downtown Investment Authority's plans for the reconstruction of the Southbank's Riverplace Boulevard.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-feb-riverplace-blvd-bicycle-pedestrian-improvements

[acme54321]

That would be a big improvement, is there any schedule for construction yet?

I think the biggest concern I have is with the bike facilities.  You basically have a second, narrower sidewalk dedicated to bikes.  That stretch of road sees a lot of traffic from road bikers doing group rides, etc.  They won't use that bike path and will continue to use the roadway, so it doesn't really solve the problem and might actually make it worse.  I think a slightly wider roadway with a traditional bike lane would be more appropriate.   I'd also prefer to see a raised median, are there really that many left turns?

[mbwright]

I agree.  Groups are not going to use the lane, for the half mile or so that it is.  I think the big picture needs to be looked at, with regards to bike lanes.  What type of road including bikes and pedestrians can be used all across Jacksonville? When roads are resurfaced or upgraded, is there a plan to include this all over town?  A few blocks here, and there, and disjunct, makes it hard to use.

[thelakelander]

There's a plan in the works. We'll have a story about it this week.

[Steve]

Overall this is a dramatic improvement over what's there now. I agree that the packs of bicyclists won't use the bike lane, but they don't use the 3-4 foot bike lane now. Hopefully the single rider will though.

Where's funding for this coming from? I'm guessing not the COJ General Fund.

[jaxlore]

I like the design. I agree with the need to have a bike plan that plays into need of the rest of the city. Granted I've never seen any group rides down there but maybe they are on weekends mostly.

I am assuming these connect up with Main Street Bridge?

[Tacachale]

It's a big improvement over what's there. The bike lane ending and then that weird curve encouraging drivers to speed up even though they can't see bikers in their lane is pretty scary.

[thelakelander]

Where's funding for this coming from? I'm guessing not the COJ General Fund.

The DIA. There's already $5.1 million set aside for this project. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2017 and completion by the end of 2018.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/expansionproject-aims-to-make-riverplace-blvd-more-biker-pedestrian-friendly

[fieldafm]

Where's funding for this coming from? I'm guessing not the COJ General Fund.

Southbank TIF money. Southbank had money in the account. I believe that the Northbank still has a negative ledger.

I think a slightly wider roadway with a traditional bike lane would be more appropriate.

Personally, I feel strongly that there needs to be more protected and separated bike lanes in the city.. not less. That stretch of Hendricks/Riverplace has some of the highest bicycle accidents/fatalties per capita in the city. You might find this article interesting: http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/06/protected-bike-lanes-arent-just-safer-they-can-also-increase-cycling/371958/

The inclusion of more bike/pedestrian facilities is an incremental process (even in cities that have made a large commitment to increasing such facilities). The key is building the infrastructure when the opportunity presents itself (which is almost always in the form of a potential road maintenance project... see here:http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-nov-a-public-square-for-san-marco).

While the gaps in the existing bike/ped certainly need to be filled (something that Lakelander hinted is forthcoming), the fact that there is now even sporadic infrastructure was put in motion nearly 15 years ago when policy was enacted to incrementally include these kinds of facilities on future construction projects. The key now is to update that policy to go one step further and include a holistic plan to enhance this existing network along with dedicated funding sources to help pay for such improvements (IE the Mobility Plan). In the very near future, such a plan will be ready for review and you'll see Mobility Plan money re-prioritized towards these types of projects.

Here's a map of the existing bicycle network as of 2009(?), that resulted from the aforementioned policy shift.

[Steve]

Where's funding for this coming from? I'm guessing not the COJ General Fund.

The DIA. There's already $5.1 million set aside for this project. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2017 and completion by the end of 2018.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/expansionproject-aims-to-make-riverplace-blvd-more-biker-pedestrian-friendly

It's amazing to me how long things take. Essentially, three years for a mile of road.

[acme54321]

I think a slightly wider roadway with a traditional bike lane would be more appropriate.

Personally, I feel strongly that there needs to be more protected and separated bike lanes in the city.. not less. That stretch of Hendricks/Riverplace has some of the highest bicycle accidents/fatalties per capita in the city. You might find this article interesting: http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/06/protected-bike-lanes-arent-just-safer-they-can-also-increase-cycling/371958/

The inclusion of more bike/pedestrian facilities is an incremental process (even in cities that have made a large commitment to increasing such facilities). The key is building the infrastructure when the opportunity presents itself (which is almost always in the form of a potential road maintenance project... see here:http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-nov-a-public-square-for-san-marco).

While the gaps in the existing bike/ped certainly need to be filled (something that Lakelander hinted is forthcoming), the fact that there is now even sporadic infrastructure was put in motion nearly 15 years ago when policy was enacted to incrementally include these kinds of facilities on future construction projects. The key now is to update that policy to go one step further and include a holistic plan to enhance this existing network along with dedicated funding sources to help pay for such improvements (IE the Mobility Plan). In the very near future, such a plan will be ready for review and you'll see Mobility Plan money re-prioritized towards these types of projects.

Here's a map of the existing bicycle network as of 2009(?), that resulted from the aforementioned policy shift.

I certainly don't disagree with you.  The average rider commuting to work or going on a casual ride would be fine and most likely prefer riding on that path.  However, this stretch of road sees a lot of more serious cyclists on group and solo rides.  At 18-24mph or whatever rate they will not use that bike path, period.  They will continue to ride in the lane, I am speaking as someone who occasionally does those group rides.  So with this plan you're going to end up with groups taking up the whole lane and impeding traffic when they would otherwise be in a bike lane.  I'm sure that turning lane is going to make a great place for cars to pass though

[E_Dubya]

Overall this is a dramatic improvement over what's there now. I agree that the packs of bicyclists won't use the bike lane, but they don't use the 3-4 foot bike lane now. Hopefully the single rider will though.

Where's funding for this coming from? I'm guessing not the COJ General Fund.

As someone who rides his bike through San Marco quite a bit, this would be a major improvement. As it stands now, I avoid Riverplace Drive unless I'm in a car.

[dbjax]

I certainly don't disagree with you.  The average rider commuting to work or going on a casual ride would be fine and most likely prefer riding on that path.  However, this stretch of road sees a lot of more serious cyclists on group and solo rides.  At 18-24mph or whatever rate they will not use that bike path, period.  They will continue to ride in the lane, I am speaking as someone who occasionally does those group rides.  So with this plan you're going to end up with groups taking up the whole lane and impeding traffic when they would otherwise be in a bike lane.  I'm sure that turning lane is going to make a great place for cars to pass though

Based on the desire to calm traffic through here, I don't see this as an impediment. Traffic moves way too fast here and reducing the lane width will (and should) reduce average speed. The overall goal is to make it more pedestrian friendly and the anticipation of further residential growth here. If you don't want to drive leisurely through here, take Prudential.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Looks great, just needs to be implemented through out when the time and funding are there.

[UNFurbanist]

Great Improvements! I really like the low impact development and rain gardens.