JTA's plans for I-95/JTB Interchange Shortsighted

[reednavy]

If a commuter rail station is put there then there needs to be bus connection to the Southpoint so people can get to their jobs since they cant walk through that interchange mess.  The interchange is shortsighted.

Shit, they need to figure a way to fit a light rail line or something to connect that station to the beaches. It'd make such an impact with well placed stops at Gate, Southside, and such.

[finehoe]

...well placed stops...

LOL.  You are funny.

I can only imagine where JTA would site them.

[hooplady]

Southpoint has to be the must unpresdetrian friendly business area in Jacksonville. There are almost no sidewalks anywhere- if my co-workers and I want to walk over to the next building to grab lunch at one of the cafes we have to trek through the grass or walk in the street.

I know, isn't that bizarre?  Not only are there no sidewalks, but they plant hedges between the buildings to impede us.  Apparently they actually expect us to get in our cars and drive to the next parking lot so we can go to Subway.  Even the fact that there are little footpaths cut through the bushes hasn't given anyone a hint to at least lay down some pavers so we aren't walking in mud.  Sheesh.

And I really feel for the folks who do take the bus out here - on a rainy day they risk being driven into the drainage ditches and drowned trying to get to and from their jobs.

[reednavy]

LOL.  You are funny.

I can only imagine where JTA would site them.

exactly, they'd probably put it halfway between Belfort and Southside

[urbaknight]

The only hope for JTA would be to let go of the entire management staff, from the very top to those who write and change the bus schedules every 6 months. Are they all friends with the mayor or something? Anyone with half a brain can see that JTA, as it is today, is heading for sabotage. I don't think they really want public transportation to be anything reliable in Jax. If you don't have a car, then something must be wrong with you. Maybe you lost your licence, there for you're a criminal. Or maybe you can't afford insurance, there for, you're poor, which must mean that you're lazy, incompetent or trouble. Or you might be like me. I'm legally blind and must rely on the buses. But being disabled is also a crime here. We're not completely able-bodied and so then, we're disabled, we don't have a reason to show our selves, nowhere to be, no time constraints, no jobs etc. It's good old southern prejudice, only today it's about class, not so much about race, but I'm sure that's there too. They're trying to fail on purpose so they can say "we told you so!" Look at the crap they've given us so far! Replace JTA management, it's the only real salution we have left.

[9a is my backyard]

Engineers do love exhibits.  But this is a perfect example of a lack of creativity and a shortsightedness on the planning side.  I'm sure most of the people involved could have come up with the proposed 'blue line' multi-use trail, they just don't think people will use it so they don't want to spend money on it.  No one bikes through there now, so why add bike infrastructure?  That's the attitude, but you have to start somewhere.  Crossing 95 on a bike can be a real pain on the southside and this would be a welcome addition.  I've ridden under 95 on Baymeadows a few times and I wasn't sure I was going to make it out alive...

We spend so much money make sure big roads have sidewalks (Beach, Kernan, Baymeadows, etc) even though crossing those roads can be next to impossible on foot.  Why not take that money and effort and develop dedicated bike/pedestrian trails?

[tufsu1]

With no vision capabilities, JTA should stand for the "Just Today" Authority.

cs?

[tufsu1]

Metro Jax nice study but all of this is just a Wet Dream Jacksonville Florida is still run my the Old Boys Club and this Hick Town will never get it! Never!

I love the positivity

[JeffreyS]

Metro Jax nice study but all of this is just a Wet Dream Jacksonville Florida is still run my the Old Boys Club and this Hick Town will never get it! Never!

Wrong!

This is a town where the people who will never get it let downtown die.  Now it is investing in the Landing, remaking Laura street and getting historic buildings reused.

This is a town voted for a progressive better Jacksonville plan of pay more taxes for the city to provide more services and infrastructure.  Quality of life.

You will see some streetcar within five years, a downtown transit center and commuter rail within ten years.

The core areas have seen RAP and what wonderful things can happen if you have a vision and stick to it.

Looking forward to having a new urbanist for our next Mayor. OK that last part may be over the top.

[CS Foltz]

I had log in issue's that prevented me from participating............but "I'mmmmm Back"! stjr's comments about "Just Today" is kinda pertinant.......I have not seen much in the way of progressive thinking or vision and am really looking forward to the next so-called vision! JTB Interchange could be alot of things including something that could connect up to downtown but that won't happen..........no vision, plan or funds! The possibilities are limited by our imagination!

[CS Foltz]

Much thanks for sticking up the way I would buckethead! Until we have some kind of general plan, maybe stacked with options from A to Z, maybe we could just leave out the consultants for a change? Infact, maybe we can just bypass JTA all together and maybe have the "Boy Scouts" do the prelims? I am sure they could a better job then the "Just Today Agency"! The Scouts probably have a merit badge for "City Planning" or "Mass Transit Systems"......I have issues with an agency that can not plan ahead with something as simple as .......Bus Stops with a roof! I have seen posted on the MJ Forum in the past," why doesn't JTA Middle Management and up ride the bus?" It would be reasonable to me, to expect those who manage our Transportation System, ride the silly thing and see first hand just what is happening.................from the wait, to the ride and to the walk! Come to think of it..........the $kyway needs that kind of attention also, not just lip service! I, for one, have no faith in supposed Professionals who demonstrate repeatedly a lack of attention to the public and detail!

[tufsu1]

maybe we could just leave out the consultants for a change?.....I, for one, have no faith in supposed Professionals who demonstrate repeatedly a lack of attention to the public and detail!

CS...I would be more than happy to let you do all of the planning studies and analyses...good luck with the state and federal approvals!

[CS Foltz]

tufsu...........I accept the challange! I could do  no worse than is currently being done ,so where do I sign up at? Pedestian or walkability,along with biking, is just one small part or slice of the "Intermodal Mass Transit System" we have been discussing. Since the JTA's plans for the I-95/JTB Interchange  appear to be shortsighted,as the thread indicates, why would we shoot ourselves in the foot? I am a firm believer in getting the most for my taxdollars and this situation is no different! I am concerned about tomorrow, as well as today!

[tufsu1]

tufsu...........I accept the challange! I could do  no worse than is currently being done ,so where do I sign up at?

sounds good...when JTA advertises the next step study for commute rail, I'll send it to you...then you can submit a proposal (like everyone else) that clearly states your qualifications and approach.

[CS Foltz]

Fair enough! Looking forward to the chance since  any concerned citizen should be.......much thanks!!