Massive New Infrastructure Plan Proposed to Fix Crisis.

[stephendare]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081012/pl_nm/us_financial_usa_stimulus_1

This would be a brilliant move, and bode well for us locally.

What are the top 10 infrastructure projects that Jacksonville should undertake?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States needs a new economic stimulus plan that pumps billions of dollars into infrastructure projects and budget relief for cash-strapped state and local governments, Democratic lawmakers said on Sunday.

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, told ABC television he will put together an economic stimulus bill when Congress returns to Washington after the November 4 elections, while a key Republican said he would support an effort that "makes sense."

Rep. Roy Blunt, the Missouri Republican who serves as House minority leader, said he would support a stimulus plan if it did not include massive public works spending and budget bailouts for states that overspent on health care and other social programs.

"A stimulus plan that makes sense is something that I'll be helpful with," Blunt said, also on ABC television.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week said a $150 billion economic stimulus plan was needed to help counteract a faltering economy shaken by a paralyzed banking system and steep stock market falls.

On Monday, Pelosi and House Democratic leaders will meet with key economists to discuss a jobs creation and recovery plan that will complement the recently passed $700 billion rescue legislation for financial institutions. Participants will include former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Arthur Levitt and former Federal Reserve vice chairman Alice Rivlin.

The Congress earlier this year passed a $152 billion stimulus package that provided tax rebates of up to $600 per adult to support consumer spending at a time of rising energy and food costs.

Most of that money has already been spent, and many economists say financial turmoil will squeeze the economy into recession in the fourth quarter.

"Not only is Wall Street frozen, but Main Street is in real trouble. A stimulus aimed at Main Street makes sense," New York Sen. Charles Schumer told CNN.

He said the plan should "get into the guts of the economy" by boosting spending on infrastructure such as roads, sewer and water projects.

Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who served under President Bill Clinton, told CNN that an infrastructure plan that could quickly pump money into the economy was the most important action that U.S. authorities could take to help deal with the current economic crisis.

"I would put in place an infrastructure piece... bridges, water systems roads, highways, but not new projects that are going to take a long time to set up," Rubin said. "There are a lot of existing projects where states and cities are having a hard time finding a lot of financing where you could funnel that money right into existing activities where you would be able to act very very quickly."

Schumer also urged the Treasury to move quickly on its plan to buy equity stakes in banks.

"I am hopeful that tomorrow the Treasury will announce that they're doing it. And they have to do it quickly," said Schumer, a New York Democrat.

"This cannot be two, three, four weeks. The markets are waiting, the country is waiting, and we're beginning a downward spiral, not just in finance ... but in the whole economy. We need quick action," he added.

[Jason]

What are the top 10 infrastructure projects that Jacksonville should undertake?

I just hope these "infrastructure inprovements" don't spread us out anymore.  We need to inprove on what we already have. 

I would propose locally:

1. New power generation options
2. Continued septic remediation, river cleanup, and polution control
3. Enhance and expand mass transit
4. Sewer & water pipe (and other utilities) replacement and enhancement
5. Water and wastwater treatment improvements & expansions
6. Reclaimed water system for irrigation and other uses
7. Replacement of the Mathews bridge with something to connect transit (tunnel?)
8. Move more electrical lines underground, especially in historic neighborhoods
9. Promote growth along new transit corridors and within existing urban fabric (penalize suburban sprawl)
10. Rebuild damaged bulkheads & improve stormwater runoff

[jtwestside]

What are the top 10 infrastructure projects that Jacksonville should undertake?

I just hope these "infrastructure inprovements" don't spread us out anymore.  We need to inprove on what we already have. 

I would propose locally:

1. New power generation options
2. Continued septic remediation, river cleanup, and polution control
3. Enhance and expand mass transit
4. Sewer & water pipe (and other utilities) replacement and enhancement
5. Water and wastwater treatment improvements & expansions
6. Reclaimed water system for irrigation and other uses
7. Replacement of the Mathews bridge with something to connect transit (tunnel?)
8. Move more electrical lines underground, especially in historic neighborhoods
9. Promote growth along new transit corridors and within existing urban fabric (penalize suburban sprawl)
10. Rebuild damaged bulkheads & improve stormwater runoff

I love the list, although I would reorder (opinions are like ...) anyway.

It would be great to replace the Mathews, although I think a tunnel is bit of a pipe dream  .

Are there any benefits to tunnel vs bridge in that location?

[reednavy]

The Mathews bridge is set to be replaced I believe next decade.

[Jason]

There was no particular order in my list.  I wrote as it came to mind. 

I don't think a tunnel is absolutely necessary.  Most of the Tallyrand industrial area is north of the bridge anyways.  Nonetheless, it would be nice to at least have a new bridge that would support some sort of rail system to effeciently connect downtown to points east.

The place a tunnel would do the most good is in place of the Dames Point bridge because its height is a hinderance for the newer and larger super ships that could be making port.  A tunnel would eliminate any height restrictions west of Blount Island and open up more accessibility to Tallyrand and other industrial locations to expand our seaport operations.  Although, the Dames Point isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[Ocklawaha]

BUT JASON?

The place a tunnel would do the most good is in place of the Dames Point bridge because its height is a hinderance for the newer and larger super ships that could be making port.  A tunnel would eliminate any height restrictions west of Blount Island and open up more accessibility to Tallyrand and other industrial locations to expand our seaport operations.  Although, the Dames Point isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

You have to KNOW that if we planned it here, we'd only go 32 feet deep, so while the height problem would go away forever, the draft of the ships would be limited to small coastal freighters and large canoes.

OCKLAWAHA

[Charles Hunter]

The Mathews bridge is set to be replaced I believe next decade.

Based on what was in the TU yesterday - about projects that already have money possibly being delayed or scrapped, I don't see where the $500 million to replace the Mathews with a transit-friendly new bridge will come from.  And from what I've heard, the half-billion is only the bridge, not the expressways on either side.

The place a tunnel would do the most good is in place of the Dames Point bridge because its height is a hinderance for the newer and larger super ships that could be making port.  A tunnel would eliminate any height restrictions west of Blount Island and open up more accessibility to Tallyrand and other industrial locations to expand our seaport operations.  Although, the Dames Point isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Would have to raise (or tunnel) those power lines that cross Blount Island to the St. Johns Bluff area - they are about the same height as the Dames Point.

Good point, Ock!

[thelakelander]

I thought the new Matthews Bridge was estimated to cost in the $800 million range?  My guess, is by the time its replaced, it will be over a billion.

[Charles Hunter]

Could be, I'm working off a not-so-good memory here.
In any event, ain't no one around that has that kind of money.

[Jason]

BUT JASON?

The place a tunnel would do the most good is in place of the Dames Point bridge because its height is a hinderance for the newer and larger super ships that could be making port.  A tunnel would eliminate any height restrictions west of Blount Island and open up more accessibility to Tallyrand and other industrial locations to expand our seaport operations.  Although, the Dames Point isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

You have to KNOW that if we planned it here, we'd only go 32 feet deep, so while the height problem would go away forever, the draft of the ships would be limited to small coastal freighters and large canoes.

OCKLAWAHA

Getting a bit synical these days Ock?    Yes, the depth of the tunnel is also a concern.  I would HOPE that the tunnel planners and designers would have the foresight to build it deep enough that there would be little concern of future dredging projects being impeded.  Geologically speaking, how deep could a tunnel be built in this part of Florida?  Doesn't the limerock get pretty solid around 100'??