FDOT Planning Improvements to Philips Highway
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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is proposing to add sidewalks and bike lanes on Philips Highway between San Marco and Bowden Road, as a part of a $4.5 million resurfacing project. FDOT will be hosting a public workshop on the Philips Highway project tonight.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-apr-fdot-planning-improvements-to-philips-highway
However they do the sidewalks, it would be great if they were not under water, or cause flooding on the roads if curbs are added. Too many time you see the roads not designed to best utilize drainage when more than just a sprinkle.
This is a no brainer that is loooooong over due.
For those that have been around MJ for a few years, you may recall that the stretch north of Emerson is what JTA wanted to turn into dedicated BRT lanes. It appears FDOT thinks otherwise and has proposed bike lanes instead. Hopefully, they'll be separated lanes since there's enough width between the curbs.
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My sources at FDOT told me that they planed bikes lanes all along and once JTA learned of the plans had a bit of tantrum. FDOT has no plans for a dedicated and/or shared bus lane along that stretch.
Whenever a federal grant is involved, the owners of the road (FDOT or COJ) have to make a commitment to keep the dedicated bus lanes in place, or repay the grant. Not surprisingly, both FDOT and COJ are showing reluctance to giving away valuable right-of-way for something that may not be consistent with long term transportation goals.
Great news, Improve auto, biking and pedestrian transportation in one shot at a low cost. With a great side effect of killing the plans for a terrible BRT corridor and hopefully shifting to the built in commuter rail corridor.
JTA should look at this as a blessing they can get out of their ill conceived BRT Phillips leg without having to admit what a bad idea it is.
Is there a timeline on this project?