Rail on Water Street. Why Not?
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4181-hello_jacksonville.jpg)
Water Street is the perfect setting for the implementation of a starter streetcar line funded through a public/private partnership. Why Water Street? Why move forward without JTA or the FTA if necessary? Here are a few reasons why the question should become why not?
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http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/746
Quote from: Metro Jacksonville on March 28, 2008, 05:00:00 AM
Rail on Water Street. Why Not?
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4181-hello_jacksonville.jpg)
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/746 (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/746)
Yeah, WHY NOT?! :D We can go for that! We do need something like that in downtown 8).
Seriously, this is something that we need to wake up and get in place. This can really set the groundwork for the future.
I have $10 that JTA's streetcar study will somehow come up with the same route.
The why not is to because it mirrors the Skyway we just need a more convenient drop of for the Landing. The city's S line or the csx A line seem the logical places to start rail service IMHO.
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-2925-brt-vs-rail-routes.jpg)
I think there's several areas that are logical points to start rail service, considering we'll need a mix of transportation modes to efficiently serve the city as it grows. Regional rail plans can still move forward with the CSX A and the solution to the Port's logistics problem, while the private sector can become a part of the solution to a potential streetcar plan to complement the Skyway and eliminate the need for bus rapid transitways in the Northbank. Bringing the private sector in this would be a benefit currently being ignored so far in our rail discussions. Right now, its FTA funding and a 20 year wait or bust.
The Skyway's path down Bay is ineffective in directly connecting the majority of these major Northbank destinations. Plus its a visual blight to extend it down Bay Street or swing it over to provide direct connections with the Hyatt, Landing, CSX and the Times Union Center.
An argument could be made that it complements the Skyway. The Bay Street Station retail promenade essentially becomes a weather proof transportation center in itself (skyway station to the north/streetcar station to the south). This would allow the future streetcar line to turn south down Park Street to access Five Points, as opposed to turning North to meet JTA's proposed bus terminals near I-95 or the Prime Osborn skyway station further down Bay Street. In fact, it improves the connections between various forms of rail emerging out of the Jacksonville Terminal, if we're successful at bringing in commuter rail and Amtrak, along the FEC line.
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4109-20_-_l0.2.jpg)
notice interior North/South pedestrian corridor, immediately east of "Proposed Building" text.
Regardless of whether street cars are placed downtown as a part of a larger integrated regionalwide rail plan, the Skyway's route still provides direct service to the heart of the Northbank, the Southbank and potentially Riverside Avenue. Bay Street Station would bring the two together with a common stop location, allowing transfers. In the future, the line could be extended down Park to Riverside and up Newnan to Springfield or the Sports District, thus connecting inner core neighborhoods together at a cheaper price and more visually appealing mode of mass transit.
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3036-downtown-streetcar-route.jpg)
EDIT: I know the Springfield residents want streetcars down Main, so ignore the path down Hubbard, shown on this graphic. Its only being used to show how various forms of systems can complement each other to reach specific destinations
(http://www.lightrailnow.org/images/sac-lrt-heritage-scar_sacbee.jpg)
Another big plus side is the Heritage Trolleys (which are AC and ADA compliant) can mix, nose to nose with the modern LRT vehicles... We get a much bigger bang for the buck in tourism and development dollars with the nostalgia of JACKSONVILLE TRACTION then with flying elevators (Skyways). I agree that the Skyway needs to be finished, and compliment the Traction lines. They should feed eachother, as well as downtown, and JTA bus and any future commuter rail.
Just for the record, my own figures are much closer to $5 million a mile rather then Detroit's $30. REASON? I stood in front of Union Station and went down Water with two of the nations largest builders of Light Rail track and systems, and THEY said, basic track and overhead? Under $4 million easy. Toss in a carbarn and two new streetcars and I say we are out the door for 10-12 Million MAX. This is based on recent Fall 2007 walk through's, that included the builder of the Orlando Commuter Rail System.
Ocklawaha
i wish.
Street car through the heart of downtown sounds perfect. I know nothing about mass transit but common sense tells me it can connect numerous destinations in close proximity much more efficiently than a skyway that takes much more effort to board/disembark.
I can only hope the proposal with private funds would be successful so this plan can be a realization sooner rather than later.
Keep an eye on MJ, JOL, TU and Folio for private ventures in streetcars. Jacksonville Traction is working on some ideas and a couple of stories on in the works.
Ocklawaha
Good luck Ock!
Remember: Deo Vindice! ;D
Two more stories in the Pipeline y'all, don't know the dates yet.
Keep a watch on Folio and TU.
Ocklawaha
DEO VINDICE! Compatriot
Quote from: Ocklawaha on July 11, 2008, 07:33:27 PM
Two more stories in the Pipeline y'all, don't know the dates yet.
Keep a watch on Folio and TU.
Ocklawaha
DEO VINDICE! Compatriot
Please update again when you know the specific dates. I'm out of town so I don't get those publications weekly/daily.