Springfield's East 8th Street Project Complete
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-2379-dsc_0106.JPG)
Springfield's East 8th Street reconstruction project has been completed. This $5.1 million Better Jacksonville Plan project included new underground electric, water, and sewer as well as new traffic signals, street lighting, sidewalks, and road resurfacing.
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http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/601
Finally, and aside from the median keeping vehicles from turning onto the street they want...it looks nice
Yeah, in the last pic it looks like the median completely blocks a cross street.
Still, this is definitely a sorely needed upgrade. Hopefully this will help to further the investment and development of Springfield.
It looks much better and the drive is a lot easier on my truck!
congratulations jacksonville you got a road paved wow. ::)
There is a lot less landscaping in this project than the previous two.
When will the Main Street phase 2 work begin?
I believe they are staging as we speak. One of the hold ups (among a great many) has been that they are using the same staging areas as the E 8th crew.
Any idea why most of these new streetscaping projects install landscaped medians instead of parallel parking?
The east 8th street side has a lot less median than the west side. I don't think it is a good idea to close off the cross streets though. It increases traffic speed on 8th street and cuts off the street grid for people traveling north/south. Same goes for Main Street. It divides the neighborhood into quadrants.
Well, I do miss the large oaks that lined the road, although the new thoroughfare is much improved. At night, the new streetlamps really do a nice job of brightening up the corridor. ;D
QuoteThe east 8th street side has a lot less median than the west side. I don't think it is a good idea to close off the cross streets though. It increases traffic speed on 8th street and cuts off the street grid for people traveling north/south. Same goes for Main Street. It divides the neighborhood into quadrants.
Seems like a suburban transportation solution being applied in an urban area of town. The worst part about the Main Street medians is no thought was put into it from a pedestrian level. Everytime I drive down that street, I see people walking through the landscaping, instead of walking up or down to 4th or 1st to cross the street. While on foot, I've done it a couple of times myself.
QuoteWell, I do miss the large oaks that lined the road, although the new thoroughfare is much improved. At night, the new streetlamps really do a nice job of brightening up the corridor.
Can't complain there. Lighting has really been improved along this stretch.
Quote from: Lunican on October 19, 2007, 09:18:15 AM
The east 8th street side has a lot less median than the west side. I don't think it is a good idea to close off the cross streets though. It increases traffic speed on 8th street and cuts off the street grid for people traveling north/south. Same goes for Main Street. It divides the neighborhood into quadrants.
Thank you, that's exactly my point! Not only is it a pain for those of us who live in the area, but it also detours emergency vehicles. That extra block to turn can make the difference.
I agree, it's dangerous when driving down Main street...people are always standing in the median and then stepping out into traffic.
Funny thing about this project is, take at look at any transportation planners handbook and you'll see the medians are designed to improve both traffic AND pedestrian safety. Crazy thing is, if you don't do the cross walks, it defeats the purpose of pedestrian safety.
Anyone ever consider the medians are also called "future streetcar plan blockers?" Real hard to get the City Council to approve streetcars when we have just spent the $$$ Millions to rip up the remaining track, and block of the roadway. Smile Victoria, Randy, Mike and Scott... one of you go over and smack the guys in the streetscape department.
Ocklawaha
Since we are talking about the medians on Main St, I noticed the other night the uplighting on the trees wasnt on and it has been this way for a while now. Should have known it wouldnt last. Just another example of the City/State not maintaining anything they build in this City/part of the State.
Where are the lights out....I'll glad report them
I will make note of where they are not working tonight.
thanks....and I'll be happy to report them
Studies have found that it's much more dangerous to make a left-turn crossing two ways of traffic than to make a right, then a U-turn at the next median opening/intersection. Also, pedestrians can use the median as a safeplace to cross traffic without having to play frogger with traffic. :)
Frogger? Hell, my folks ALWAYS told me: "Why don't you go out and play in the Freeway!" LOL!
Ocklawaha
It would be interesting to see how studies would compare crossing Main on foot, without medians, and crossing Southside Blvd. Maybe its me, but in an urban area, studies should place just as much value on business/residential/pedestrian accessibility, just as much as they focus on vehicular movement.
I couldn't agree with you more, Lake...
Here are a couple before shots from March 2006:
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/Lunican/march%2012%202006/dsc01604.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/Lunican/march%2012%202006/dsc01605.jpg)