S.R. 16 Shands Bridge

[reednavy]

If the Outer Beltway doesn't come, which I'm hoping, will this kill the chances of a new span anytime soon?

This bridge is terribly outdated, unsafe, and blocks Palatka from being able to utilize the full capability of it's port near the Seminole power plant.

Another gripe is the fact that leftover stimulus funds are being used for 9b, which is not a needed roadway. The Shands Bridge should be of immediate concern because if you crash, you're in the water, and if you break down, you screwed up half the bridge.

[stjr]

I can support a new FREE-to-use Shands Bridge, especially WITHOUT the Outer Beltway TOLLway.  It would probably serve more St. Johns County interests and residents than 9B.  How much would it cost?  Would be interesting to compare it to the hundreds of millions being wasted on 9B.

[David]

That bridge scares the hell out of me when I cross it,  I had a close call on it once which put me up against the outside barrier. I'm surprised there's still no plans for expansion on the horizon, at least none that I know of.

[reednavy]

I didn't know there is a natural spring less than 2,000ft north of the bridge either.

Anyways, the only bridge I think is worse is the Mathews Bridge. Not only is it too damn skinny, but way up high.

Back on track, it is also a primary evacuation route during hurricane season, so you'd think it would be higher up on the priority list. I may give FDOT call tomorrow or something, see if I can't get a detail or two.

If I'm not mistaken, it is the only two lane bridge that crosses the St. Johns period now. If not, at least between the Buckman and US17 near I-4 near Sanford.

[CS Foltz]

I believe your correct  Sir! Bridge is too narrow and there has been more than one accident on it where people went over the edge...........but 9B is higher priority! Makes me wonder if the Jacksonville City Council has control over the thing?

[Charles Hunter]

I've heard that if the Outer Beltway is built, the Shands will be removed, perhaps creating fishing piers on both sides.  Good question about what happens if there is no Outer Beltway.

How many lanes does the bridge in Palatka have?  Never mind, Google Maps shows 4.

[JaxBorn1962]

I believe your correct  Sir! Bridge is too narrow and there has been more than one accident on it where people went over the edge...........but 9B is higher priority! Makes me wonder if the Jacksonville City Council has control over the thing?

The person that went over the edge didn't have her seat belt on I believe

[tufsu1]

I can support a new FREE-to-use Shands Bridge, especially WITHOUT the Outer Beltway TOLLway.  It would probably serve more St. Johns County interests and residents than 9B.  How much would it cost?  Would be interesting to compare it to the hundreds of millions being wasted on 9B.

The answer is a new bridge would cost at least $200 million....and there is very little chance of it being built without a toll, regardless of whether the Outer Beltway happens.

[JaxBorn1962]

I can support a new FREE-to-use Shands Bridge, especially WITHOUT the Outer Beltway TOLLway.  It would probably serve more St. Johns County interests and residents than 9B.  How much would it cost?  Would be interesting to compare it to the hundreds of millions being wasted on 9B.

The answer is a new bridge would cost at least $200 million....and there is very little chance of it being built without a toll, regardless of whether the Outer Beltway happens.

Bull! Tolls are dumb Jacksonville would still be the city to past bye if we still had the tolls around here.

[JaxBorn1962]

If the Outer Beltway doesn't come, which I'm hoping, will this kill the chances of a new span anytime soon?

This bridge is terribly outdated, unsafe, and blocks Palatka from being able to utilize the full capability of it's port near the Seminole power plant.

Another gripe is the fact that leftover stimulus funds are being used for 9b, which is not a needed roadway. The Shands Bridge should be of immediate concern because if you crash, you're in the water, and if you break down, you screwed up half the bridge.

The Outer Beltway is coming you can bank on that! http://www.firstcoastmpo.com/userfiles/image/LRTP%20Brochure%20map+list.pdf

[Overstreet]

The Shands bridge has become more traveled. People that are moving into Clay County south to Green Cove Springs are using it to come across to the east side of the river to get to Jacksonville instead of the stop and go up US 17 through Orange Park.

[stjr]

I can support a new FREE-to-use Shands Bridge, especially WITHOUT the Outer Beltway TOLLway.  It would probably serve more St. Johns County interests and residents than 9B.  How much would it cost?  Would be interesting to compare it to the hundreds of millions being wasted on 9B.

The answer is a new bridge would cost at least $200 million....and there is very little chance of it being built without a toll, regardless of whether the Outer Beltway happens.

Hmmmm... a new Shands Bridge or 9B?  How tough a choice is that?  What a messed up system we have for setting priorities.

[tufsu1]

The theory is you get both....a new Shands Bridge happens as a result of the Outer Beltway....somewhere around 2016....and 9B gets finished about the same time

[St. Auggie]

"Hmmmm... a new Shands Bridge or 9B?  How tough a choice is that?  What a messed up system we have for setting priorities"

Really not much of choice.  One is an estimated $84 million and the other is going to cost WAY more than 200.  This is a senseless statement regardless if you are pro or con 9b.  There is no choice due to the cost.  A new bridge will be a toll bridge.  That I am sure you can count on.  As well it should be.  If you use it, pay for it. 

[reednavy]

Senseless statement?

One is a desperately needed project, the other is to "relieve traffic", which is total bs.

How's that Cecil Parkway working out? Another senseless waste of money. The Shands Bridge would get the most bang for the buck as it is a necessary crossing, being that another corssing is about 11 miles downriver and the other over 25 miles downriver. It is a critical hurricane evacuation route as well. Even though we do not see hurricanes on a regular basis, if Dora 2 comes along, that bridge, as it is right now, would be an utter failure, creating a massive bottleneck.

Use and improve what is already there before you build something that has no real purpose to begin with. This goes for 9A as well, it needs to be widened like it should've been from the get go.