Baymeadows Road Construction?

Jason · August 03, 2009, 10:01:31 AM

Every proposal discribed looks great. I'd even go so far as to combine the Cypress Plaza alternative with the Baymeadows Way alternative on the west side of I95 and a single highway crossing.

I really hope that the city does not allow the development of the wetlands that the proposed extension would cut though.

Why aren't these under construction yet!?

Captain Zissou · August 03, 2009, 10:11:13 AM

^ Jason, after seeing the proposed alternatives, I was thinking the same thing. The Salisbury extension and the new East/West road pass through what are currently undeveloped forest.

I was wondering if anyone was concerned that creating access to these undeveloped areas would add to the sprawl of the Southside?

Jason · August 03, 2009, 10:15:37 AM

That undeveloped area is pretty swampy and key to the drainage of that area. Developing it would be extremely stupid, IMO.

tufsu1 · August 03, 2009, 10:51:40 AM

Quote from: Jason on August 03, 2009, 10:01:31 AM
Why aren't these under construction yet!?

umm....could it be lack of funding?

Or, even if the money was there, you'd still have to complete environmental studies, design, permitting, and ROW acquisition....so at best, we're likely talking 5-10 years down the road.

reednavy · August 03, 2009, 11:43:54 AM

We all just want another river crossing. Come on, admit it.

I'm all for the Sunbeam extension as well.

Jason · August 03, 2009, 11:44:46 AM

tufsu, My comment was simply a shout for commencement. I understand that we're just in the planning stages.

"Let's get it done, yesterday!"

stjr · August 03, 2009, 11:57:15 AM

Quote from: reednavy on August 03, 2009, 11:43:54 AM
We all just want another river crossing. Come on, admit it.

University Blvd. to Timuquana/103rd. That idea has faded away and is unlikely to reappear for several generations, if ever.

The perfect storm would have been to extend JTB to San Jose, as originally planned, and continue it over the River. That plane will never fly either.

Jason · August 03, 2009, 12:04:08 PM

Maybe one day they'll find a way to tunnel deep enough or in a manner that doesn't disturb the existing development. IMO, a tunnel would be ideal if ever possible/cost effective.

Edit: After looking at the map, that would take one LONG tunnel to connect the roads.

Charles Hunter · August 03, 2009, 09:06:33 PM

I just don't think you could get permits to extend Sunbeam across the wetlands between Philips Hwy. and I-95. After all, the Freedom Commerce Center developers could not. And how is the Salisbury extension through "undeveloped forest"? From the linked plans, it looks like it would be right up against I-95 on one side. Looks like some interesting ideas ... now, does anyone have any money for them?

stjr · August 03, 2009, 10:34:40 PM

Quote from: Charles Hunter on August 03, 2009, 09:06:33 PM
I just don't think you could get permits to extend Sunbeam across the wetlands between Philips Hwy. and I-95. After all, the Freedom Commerce Center developers could not.

I recall that Freedom Commerce wanted to actually convert uplands elsewhere to swamp so they could fill in the swamp within their center and develop it. Their aim was to build buildings and parking lots. An elevated road over a swamp may not have the same impact.

Probably wouldn't matter because if they want to build a road in North Florida, they do it, environment be damned. You should see what the Nocatee Parkway and the new Palm Valley bridge did to a really special and beautiful area at one time. And, they are hell bent on building the Outer Beltway (see MJ thread at http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,4269.0.html ) which may traverse the extensive wetlands of Black Creek.

Charles Hunter · August 04, 2009, 06:32:43 AM

Point to stjr!

reednavy · August 04, 2009, 08:43:17 AM

Don't forget to mention the bridge between UNF Dr/Town Center Pkwy and Beach Blvd is over wetlands.

mtraininjax · August 06, 2009, 09:28:57 AM

QuoteThat undeveloped area is pretty swampy and key to the drainage of that area. Developing it would be extremely stupid, IMO.

Let's create another Deercreek and just cover all the termites in the decaying wood, so that they will have new growth in timber in the new houses....yep, that's our Builders' thinking. The area south of the church is the downsteam area for the Pottsburg Creek, or the creek that you cross on JTB between Belfort and Southside.

thelakelander · August 19, 2009, 10:49:43 PM

Road improvements in Baymeadows moving forward

full article: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-08-19/story/road_improvements_in_baymeadows_moving_forward

QuoteArcadis is recommending the city widen Baymeadows Road to six lanes from Philips Highway to Southside Boulevard. Salisbury Road would also be extended south to connect with Baymeadows, and northbound ramps to Interstate 95 would be built near the end point of Southside Boulevard.

There are already ramps to I-95 southbound from Southside, but to go north drivers need to head west on Baymeadows or South to Philips Highway.

Arcadis is also recommending that an east-west road be built that begins at Southside Boulevard and ends at either Cypress Plaza or Baymeadows Way. This appears to be the most problematic part of the plan.

Charles Hunter · August 19, 2009, 11:11:05 PM

The headline about the projects "moving forward" is a little misleading, when you read the article (so what else is new at the TU?) - the proposals are going to be presented to the public. It doesn't look like anybody has any money to actually build any of these projects - even though they do make sense.