Massive I-95/JTB Expansion Project Underway
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3775649827_b92Tmxd-L.jpg)
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has started construction on the $67 million project to improve the I-95/Butler Boulevard interchange. This comes 10 months after FDOT and Governor Rick Scott announced the accelerated project at a press conference in February.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-dec-massive-i-95jtb-expansion-project-underway
This is SOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!
Finally!
When you think about it, Metro Jax collectively has had such a positive impact on raising issues related to making Jacksonville a better city. The pedestrian path on this project and on the Fuller Warren have been spurred by members emailing and speaking up when leaders and developers allow themselves to be short-sighted or lazy.
Will the path be able to safely connect all the way to Belfort? I see people walking/biking along this stretch of JTB all the time and I fear for their lives.
Out of curiosity, is there ever a chance JTB could be upgraded to an interstate spur or have to to wait until certain interchanges, like Southside, get redone?
Not looking forward to the work, but this one has to be done.
Quote from: reednavy on December 23, 2014, 12:49:37 AM
Out of curiosity, is there ever a chance JTB could be upgraded to an interstate spur or have to to wait until certain interchanges, like Southside, get redone?
there is nothing wrong with the JTB/Southside interchange...it meets federal standards
So the double line of cars, a mile long, waiting for a traffic light to get onto Butler from I-95 South, doesn't seem odd to you for such a busy feeder highway?
^I think they are referring to another interchange. The JTB/Southside interchange is a few miles east of this particular project at I-95.
The segment of JTB west of I-95 is more of a local road in its design with lights and access points (driveways) to businesses so that section really couldn't function in its current state as an interstate. The segment east of I-95 could however.
Oh, duh, Lake. Senior moment. I saw Southside Blvd, and thought Butler. :-)
The I-95/JTB exit is a remnant of when Belfort curved west at the former St Lukes (now St Vincents)and ended at Philips. Essentially a rural style exit.
JTB when conceived in the 1960's as an expressway from downtown and the beach was originally supposed to follow a ROW northwest after Southside and connect with the Commodore Point Expressway (more known as the Hart Bridge Expressway) right where it curves and ends at Beach Boulevard.
However, when the plan was announced and JTA worked to acquire the ROW, many people in the Parental Home/Hogan/Brackridge neighborhoods which predated consolidation complained that it was going to destroy their neighborhoods completely (which is correct, they would have been obliterated)
In response, Commordore Point Expressway was turned east at Beach and brought down to street level. This was easy to do because Parental Home used to end at Hogan and this was once a switching yard for the FEC Mayport Line and a logging railroad that went defunct after WWI.
JTB was then turned west at Southside towards a terminus with I-95 on top of the old Belfort Road route. However for reasons I haven't found any information on, the FHA approved design ends/begins at the Pottsburg Creek Bridge. JTB between the creek and I-95 is not considered FHA compliant. The JTB bridge over Belfort clearly shows that it was planned and built to support a future FHA compliant interchange with I-95. But I haven't seen any reasons why it was cut short the way it was.
Until I can find the T-U articles from the late 70's and early 80's that outlines any of the behind the scenes going on, I can only speculate.
Pretty cool. Thanks for sharing that nugget of Jax history.
Quote from: tufsu1 on December 23, 2014, 11:34:35 AM
Quote from: reednavy on December 23, 2014, 12:49:37 AM
Out of curiosity, is there ever a chance JTB could be upgraded to an interstate spur or have to to wait until certain interchanges, like Southside, get redone?
there is nothing wrong with the JTB/Southside interchange...it meets federal standards
2011 FHWA Greenbook criteria? Weave lengths on the ramps? Horizontal geometry on the cloverleaf ramps? Should I continue?
This interchange is despised in Jacksonville by both motorists and transportation engineers. There's plenty wrong with this interchange.
The only issues I am aware of is that the outside diameter of the north circle ramps is not consistent. The issue has been most pronounced on the JTB West ramp to Southside southbound.
JTA had replaced the inside lightpole by my count 13 times in 2 years due to people advancing on the ramp to fast and losing control. In 2014 JTA finally moved the lightpole back 30 yards to keep from having to replace it so often. So even though they have adequate speed reduction signs, there really isnt enough length to the transition lane on JTB.
They need to increase the pitch on these ramps because due to property lines, they cant increase the diameter.
Quote from: spuwho on January 11, 2015, 02:19:07 PM
The only issues I am aware of is that the outside diameter of the north circle ramps is not consistent. The issue has been most pronounced on the JTB West ramp to Southside southbound.
JTA had replaced the inside lightpole by my count 13 times in 2 years due to people advancing on the ramp to fast and losing control. In 2014 JTA finally moved the lightpole back 30 yards to keep from having to replace it so often. So even though they have adequate speed reduction signs, there really isnt enough length to the transition lane on JTB.
They need to increase the pitch on these ramps because due to property lines, they cant increase the diameter.
As we've both mentioned, the horizontal geometry does not meet criteria. But not because it's inconsistent. This is known as a spiral or compound curve, depending on who you ask. This isn't necessarily a flaw in the design, in fact, using multiple curves allows a driver to adjust speed throughout the turning movement, which can be helpful when accelerating or decelerating to merge (weave) with traffic.
To my knowledge, the poles are owned and maintained by FDOT, not JTA. I might be wrong on this interchange, but typically FDOT constructs/owns/maintain these if they serve FDOT facilities (WB to SB ramp).
As I mentioned, due to the short weave length, vehicles cannot slow down or speed down enough to safely merge/weave with traffic from the NB to WB movement. Driver expectancy is another issue, as the interchange geometry isn't consistent with most of the other interchanges in the area.
I don't mean to sound like a "know-it-all" but frankly, I do. There's plenty wrong with this interchange, and I'm ready to see some improvements made.
Correct, southsider, JTA does not maintain any roadways. Even if they built them a long time ago (like JTB). When the tolls were still in effect, I think they did maintain the toll portions of the highways. For example the Fuller Warren and Trout River Bridges, but not I-95 between them. WHen the tolls were removed, they stopped maintaining any roads. And, yes, no one builds cloverleaf interchanges anymore, mainly due to the conflict between the entering and exiting traffic.
Have been seeing a type of these all over Charlotte. Pretty interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFFMB96MUYs&index=13&list=PLbyKDhz7jvE9odnGX_t_cmQF2L55QfBrZ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFFMB96MUYs&index=13&list=PLbyKDhz7jvE9odnGX_t_cmQF2L55QfBrZ)
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on January 11, 2015, 05:34:44 PM
Have been seeing a type of these all over Charlotte. Pretty interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFFMB96MUYs&index=13&list=PLbyKDhz7jvE9odnGX_t_cmQF2L55QfBrZ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFFMB96MUYs&index=13&list=PLbyKDhz7jvE9odnGX_t_cmQF2L55QfBrZ)
A half DDI has been approved and is currently under construction on SR 23 at Oakleaf Plantation Parkway as part of the FCX project. FDOT is looking at using this interchange design throughout the state.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24jMVZszPTY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24jMVZszPTY)
Quote from: southsider1015 on January 11, 2015, 04:59:13 PM
I don't mean to sound like a "know-it-all" but frankly, I do. There's plenty wrong with this interchange, and I'm ready to see some improvements made.
Thanks for sharing! You do sound like a know-it-all, but not in a bad way. ;D
The DOT is looking at a DDI for SR A1A and I-95 in Nassau County.
Quote from: southsider1015 on January 11, 2015, 04:59:13 PM
I don't mean to sound like a "know-it-all" but frankly, I do. There's plenty wrong with this interchange, and I'm ready to see some improvements made.
What's your opinion of the Southside Boulevard Vision Plan's solution for this interchange?
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3189108549_7CsVvsr-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3189108591_wgDBw8q-600x1000.jpg)
I have forgotten, from when I looked at the vision plan - do the developers just get the land where the loops are to be removed gratis?
Good question!
Quote from: Charles Hunter on January 11, 2015, 08:37:56 PM
I have forgotten, from when I looked at the vision plan - do the developers just get the land where the loops are to be removed gratis?
Even if this concept were to be fully studied, approved, funded, and constructed, the land would never be just given to developers. Not sure if you're trying to be coy, but there would obviously be negotiations and deals to encourage the type of desired development.
Not coy. Cynical about Jacksonville and Florida politics.
Quote from: thelakelander on January 11, 2015, 08:25:38 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on January 11, 2015, 04:59:13 PM
I don't mean to sound like a "know-it-all" but frankly, I do. There's plenty wrong with this interchange, and I'm ready to see some improvements made.
What's your opinion of the Southside Boulevard Vision Plan's solution for this interchange?
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3189108549_7CsVvsr-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3189108591_wgDBw8q-600x1000.jpg)
Assuming the traffic analysis demonstrated a similar level of service for Southside Blvd traffic, it "looks" great. Adding two traffic lights for "traffic calming" sounds interesting, and it does spark some thought about how this corridor COULD function. The weave movements are removed, and the tight radii curves are gone, so safety would very likely increase. The concept is meant to invoke some creative thinking about how to incorporate the adjacent developments. It certainly does in my head.
I'd also consider a SPUI given the tight ROW, assuming Southside Blvd traffic can handle another signalized intersection. And if so, possibly a DDI, but that would really be pushing it.
I don't want to be critical of a VISIONING plan. I respect the hard work that went into the concepts, as well as the criticism that the authors took in presenting this document. It comes with the territory, obviously, but some of the comments were a bit extreme and personal, and didn't help add to the conversation.
Anyway, I'd love to work on this interchange one day, since I drive it weekly. It'd be interesting to see what we could do with more information like survey and traffic counts.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on January 11, 2015, 09:59:26 PM
Not coy. Cynical about Jacksonville and Florida politics.
Can't say I disagree. I'll leave it at that.
QuoteFDOT hosts open house for I-95 and Butler Boulevard interchange improvements
Jacksonville – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is hosting an open house Wednesday, January 21 from 5-7 p.m. at the Best Western Hotel located at 4660 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville for the Interstate 95 and J. Turner Butler Boulevard interchange improvements project.
This is an informal meeting in which those interested can drop by anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. for project information including time frame, construction activities, traffic impacts and other project details. Project staff will be available at the meeting to answer questions. Since this is an informal open house, no presentation will be made.
The contractor, SEMA Construction, began work on the $67 million project in December with surveying, taking soil samples and clearing land to construct noise walls, utilities and drainage ponds. The project is designed to improve traffic flow at the Interstate 95 and Butler Boulevard interchange.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or family status as FDOT complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should call Ron Tittle at (904) 360-5457 or e-mail Ron.Tittle@dot.state.fl.us prior to the meeting. (Si prefiere recibir esta carta en español, por favor contacte Esther Murray a las (904) 360-5348. Referencia:
FM # 416501-4-22-01).
For more information regarding FDOT projects around the Northeast Florida area please visit http://nflroads.com. Follow FDOT on Twitter @MyFDOT_NEFL or http://twitter.com/MyFDOT_NEFL and http://facebook.com/MyFDOTNEFL for the latest updates.
They finally listened to my foursquare tip from 2011!
J. Turner Butler Blvd & Interstate 95
DOT - build a fly-over already! · January 5, 2011
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