Skybridge Jacksonville!
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Transit/Pedestrian-Connectors/Sky-Bridge-Concept/i-kGf2Bpq/0/M/JACKSONVILLE-PEDESTRIAN-Double-Helix-Bridge-M.jpg)
When JTA built the Skyway, they masterfully managed to miss 11,900 employees at Aetna, Baptist, and Wolfson Children's Hospital. Abysmal pedestrian connectivity between the San Marco Station and these important community assets led to design a concept Metro Jacksonville's Ocklawaha calls SKYBRIDGE JACKSONVILLE!
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-mar-skybridge-jacksonville
Very cool. Nice article Ock. Like the name change. Seems like that would get more buy in for a Public, Private, Partnership. But before we do this does anyone have a bid price for a slab of concrete for the Jacobs clock that is laying in a crate over in Talleyrand?
Dare to dream we could think that out of the box.
Very cool Ock. Would this be enclosed, for those rare days when it rains? Or maybe a covered, so it stays dry, but does not get wet? I really do like the design and feel of these types of bridges. We were in Ireland a while back and got to see the Peace Bridge, and also the Samuel Becket Bridge there.
Please get this to JTA. Surely there is 1.35 million somehwere for this.
Great work.
I'm a little confused on the prices quoted. The ped bridge engineers estimated a comparable plain vanilla ped bridge of the entire 900 ft length to be $1.35 million, but the expressway contractor estimates this actual design would cost $4-5 million just to cross the expressway? Could you clarify?
Additionally, a non-cantilevered, non-sundial bridge would be a significantly cheaper alternative, no (perhaps that is what you are illustrating with those numbers^)? I would think a town that has not been very good about cost overruns in the past would want to do this as cheaply and in a way that is as risk-free as possible.
The city would never go for this, it's too good of an idea. They would say that it's too expensive. But the real reason (of course they'll spin it a different way) is that it's an amenity for pedestrians. The city doesn't care about pedestrians and will not spend money on them when they can always spend money on car-centricities.
Great concept Ock. Any idea on how the skyway completely missed serving the main destination on the Southbank that has parking constraints?
Anywy, sorry we can't afford this. Despite $77 billion in sales last year, 7-11 needs your tax dollars because they can't afford to open gas stations in this expensive place called Jacksonville.
Quote from: stephendare on March 07, 2013, 01:16:36 PM
Quote from: urbaknight on March 07, 2013, 01:13:38 PM
The city would never go for this, it's too good of an idea. They would say that it's too expensive. But the real reason (of course they'll spin it a different way) is that it's an amenity for pedestrians. The city doesn't care about pedestrians and will not spend money on them when they can always spend money on car-centricities.
We are The City, urbaknight. You included.
I just wish that the more competent, more intelligent people of Jax would have a louder voice.
If I can learn not to be so harsh and rude with my criticisms maybe I can consider running for council. Or at the very least, be a city planer.
All of my friends think that I should be involved in some way with changing the city.
In Richmond we have a pedestrian suspension bridge under a major highway that is easily the most heavily traveled part of downtown.
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4094/4738152317_0fd6273085_z.jpg
In Jacksonville, a bridge under I-95 would link Northbank and Southbank Riverwalk, RAM and San Marco.
But with my criticisms, I have a tendency to offend the common people as well. I can't get elected if I offend everyone that votes.
A bridge in that location just makes sence. And the location lends itself to something that can become an iconic structure for our city. I've loved this idea since the moment you mentioned it to me, Ock. I'd love to see what our local developers and engineers could do with the concept. The city should up a design competition and let the local community vote on the best option.
Quote from: Slankinship on March 07, 2013, 02:03:51 PM
In Richmond we have a pedestrian suspension bridge under a major highway that is easily the most heavily traveled part of downtown.
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4094/4738152317_0fd6273085_z.jpg
In Jacksonville, a bridge under I-95 would link Northbank and Southbank Riverwalk, RAM and San Marco.
I love that bridge and what Richmond has done with its urban core in recent years. Here's a picture of it I took a few years back:
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3075-p1020527.jpg)
Quote from: Slankinship on March 07, 2013, 02:03:51 PM
In Richmond we have a pedestrian suspension bridge under a major highway that is easily the most heavily traveled part of downtown.
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4094/4738152317_0fd6273085_z.jpg
In Jacksonville, a bridge under I-95 would link Northbank and Southbank Riverwalk, RAM and San Marco.
Would be cool, and great to have Riverside and SB/San Marco peds/bikes more directly (and less Mt Acosta-ly) connected. However, the Full Warren is already the boat traffic limiter to that point (clearance above water is 75 ft). Based on how the supports are shaped, I bet you could fit a walkway directly under the deck without impacting that clearance much, but I don't know how appealing that bridge would be. Otherwise, I'm not sure what kind of clearance you are required to maintain there (though, hey!, throw in a raising section).
Certainly looks like it would be pretty cheap, anybody have an idea what kind of clearance needs to be provided?
What an awesome idea and article!
The...." 900 foot Skywalk system of around $1.35 Million." Covered, with walls. lights, airconditioning, interior finishes I recently paid half of that for less than 10% of the 900lf Skywalk system. I think your price estimates are a little low.
Quote from: mbwright on March 07, 2013, 08:33:31 AM
Very cool Ock. Would this be enclosed, for those rare days when it rains? Or maybe a covered, so it stays dry, but does not get wet?
We actually looked at this both ways, using a glass/acrylic tube for the section over the freeway, and open walks on the rest of it. The ultimate decision would be up to the COJ and the effected corporations.
Quote from: PeeJayEss on March 07, 2013, 09:09:15 AM
I'm a little confused on the prices quoted. The ped bridge engineers estimated a comparable plain vanilla ped bridge of the entire 900 ft length to be $1.35 million, but the expressway contractor estimates this actual design would cost $4-5 million just to cross the expressway? Could you clarify?
Yes, two contractors stated the 900' elevated sidewalk would run about $1.35 million, and the iconic 'healing harp' cable stayed bridge for the main span would run $4-5 million.
Quote from: Jason on March 07, 2013, 02:14:16 PM
A bridge in that location just makes since. And the location lends itself to something that can become an iconic structure for our city. The city should up a design competition and let the local community vote on the best option.
I agree Jason, but I think you've already trumped anybody else's design.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 07, 2013, 01:45:26 PM
Great concept Ock. Any idea on how the skyway completely missed serving the main destination on the Southbank that has parking constraints?
National embarrassment heaped pressure on the city to fix the Skyway? The new Acosta being the low hanging fruit? Lack of forward thinking creativity? Cost was no doubt cheaper then the angled Skyway only bridge that would have run from the south end of Hogan, to the Main Street freeway on the southbank.
QuoteAnyway, sorry we can't afford this. Despite $77 billion in sales last year, 7-11 needs your tax dollars because they can't afford to open gas stations in this expensive place called Jacksonville.
Well placed sarcasm considering the complete disregard for the will of the people, or the benefits which the mobility plan would deliver.
Quote from: PeeJayEss on March 07, 2013, 02:17:56 PM
Certainly looks like it would be pretty cheap, anybody have an idea what kind of clearance needs to be provided?
65' Is the target vertical clearance from Jax to Port of Sanford, it will be obtained when the Shand's Bridge is rebuilt or replaced. 45' from Port of Sanford to the City of Sanford. You'd have to find a way to do it that wouldn't encroach on the vertical clearance below, perhaps cantilevered on the side?
Quote from: Overstreet on March 07, 2013, 03:40:30 PM
The...." 900 foot Skywalk system of around $1.35 Million." Covered, with walls. lights, airconditioning, interior finishes I recently paid half of that for less than 10% of the 900lf Skywalk system.
The actual quote was based on a elevated walkway with handrails, or a walkway with a simple metal roof. Both Continental and Gator Bridge quoted around $1,200 per foot which I inflated to $1,500 to arrive at the figure.
OK, I'm still confused on the price. Is it $1.35 million for the whole thing if it is just a Plain Jane bridge over the Acosta and FEC? Or is it the $1.35 M plus $4 or $5 M (say $4.5M) for that crossing, for a total of $5.9 for the full meal deal?
No Charles, the 900' connecting walks are plain Jane elevated walks one running from the bridge to the Skyway station and the other running from the bridge to the hospital/Aetna. Those were priced at $1,500 per foot. The bridge itself, over the Acosta and the FEC RY is the main iconic structure and would run $4-5 million for roughly 280' feet.
BTW, the engineers said they really liked the stay cable design as it makes the construction simpler and the bridge as a project would move much faster.
I love that skywalk. Check out Cincyimages.com
I'll bring the hammer and screw driver! Let's start building!
An example of shortsightedness is the loss of the Mobility Fee revenue because of the moratorium voted in by our city council. (Who said $3 million or so won't buy much?) If the Mobility Fee had not been squashed this walkway could have been funded right now.
How about the $9 million? Everyone wants to put their fingers in the pie which will water down whatever is decided.
If this was promoted by our city, properly planned, it could be a signature PUBLIC-PRIVATE partnership. City of Jacksonville, JTA (State of Florida and Federal funding sources), Baptist Medical Center, Wolfson Children's Hospital and Aetna Insurance. Toss in a second short walk from the second floor of Medical Center Station directly into the Prudential Insurance Tower, and I'll predict the daily Skyway ridership doubles again.
Miles Francis was the Director of the JTA , not a member of the Authority Board.
Thanks for the catch Stephen, it did indeed come from that news broadcast which tormented me to no end in Colombia. Every railroader and official that knew of the story (it aired in SA) decided (jokingly) the guy from Jacksonville did it!
I don't like splitting hairs, but if you are a staff person of an authority, you are not a member of the authority, that designation is directed only at Board Members. As Director or whatever, you are an employee. In a public meeting, you are not introduced as a member. But on a scale of 1 to 10, as a significant issue, that is about an 0.5. Miles was a dedicated and loyal public servant. He did a very smart thing in moving when he retired. The best things you can do after being in a responsible position is to get out of the way of your successor and don't get caught up in second guessing the direction that he or she and the Board Members decide to take the organization.