I-295 East Beltway Being Expanded to 12 Lanes
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/4163415686_JSFTgW5-L.jpg)
Don't believe us? Take a look at the plans and count them for yourself!
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-jul-i-295-east-beltway-being-expanded-to-12-lanes
Quote from: Metro Jacksonville on July 01, 2015, 03:00:01 AM
I-295 East Beltway Being Expanded to 12 Lanes
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/4163415686_JSFTgW5-L.jpg)
Don't believe us? Take a look at the plans and count them for yourself!
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-jul-i-295-east-beltway-being-expanded-to-12-lanes (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-jul-i-295-east-beltway-being-expanded-to-12-lanes)
Lake, as of last Wednesday, those maps are outdated. The Design-Build project is about to be awarded to the same team that designed and is constructing the Overland Bridge Project.
Stay tuned for more.
I thought this was an onion article. SMMFH.
Quote from: southsider1015 on July 01, 2015, 07:08:04 AM
Lake, as of last Wednesday, those maps are outdated. The Design-Build project is about to be awarded to the same team that designed and is constructing the Overland Bridge Project.
Stay tuned for more.
Looking forward to it. Since money doesn't seem like a significant obstacle, I assume something more in line with the "Ultimate" alternative is going to advance?
After the initial despair subsided, I was filled with great hope. This will be one of the greatest areas for illegal street racing in the country. 20 hours a day of open roads 6 lanes wide!! I've already utilized the current empty roads at 8 pm to test the upper limits of my car's capabilities. Imagine what I'll be able to do with 6 lanes of abandoned highway! Field may get back to his roots and start up the old racing team!
Quote from: thelakelander on July 01, 2015, 08:54:55 AM
Since money doesn't seem like a significant obstacle,
It will be a great day in Jacksonville when that phrase can be associated with any of the multitude of downtown projects that have been delayed/shelved.
Quote from: Todd_Parker on July 01, 2015, 09:24:22 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on July 01, 2015, 08:54:55 AM
Since money doesn't seem like a significant obstacle,
It will be a great day in Jacksonville when that phrase can be associated with any of the multitude of downtown projects that have been delayed/shelved.
Right?! I can honestly say I got sick to my stomach when I read this. How do we have the loads of cash this will take for a project we really don't even need? That section is really only busy a few hours out of the day and it's still nothing like most big cities. Like all giant road projects, however, I'm sure there will be little public outreach until the cones are already on the road. If only this transportation money went to some type of light rail system but nah lets sprawl till we've paved all of NE FL! Where do we go to protest?
Quote from: thelakelander on July 01, 2015, 08:54:55 AM
Quote from: southsider1015 on July 01, 2015, 07:08:04 AM
Lake, as of last Wednesday, those maps are outdated. The Design-Build project is about to be awarded to the same team that designed and is constructing the Overland Bridge Project.
Stay tuned for more.
Looking forward to it. Since money doesn't seem like a significant obstacle, I assume something more in line with the "Ultimate" alternative is going to advance?
Well, its not a 12 lane section. It's an existing 4-lane section with a 4 new lanes, so 8 lanes and aux lanes for on and off ramps.
The DB team added a bunch of new improvements to score more points, which the public should really like.
Again, stay tuned!
Multi use path next to it? Or can't we afford that?
Doesn't look like it will have any impact on the logjam that happens just north of the mixing bowl interchange @ JTB, as all of those extra lanes (heading NB) end before or at that interchange. So, I'd think these are all kind of useless as the traffic bottles up north of all of this anyway.
Fail.
The next piece of Express Lanes, from JTB to Merrill Road / Southside Connector (south end of the Dames Point Bridge), has some money for engineering in 2020. Construction must be some time after then.
http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/fmsupportapps/workprogram/Support/WPItemRept.ASPX?RF=WP&D=02&CD=72&WM=0213|ADD%20LANES%20&%20RECONSTRUCT&SC=01|INTRASTATE%20INTERSTATE&FY=TRUE|TRUE|TRUE|TRUE|TRUE|FALSE&ITM=209301~4&RP=ITEM
So is the long term plan to add express lanes to every stretch of I-10, I-95 and I-295 through town?
Quote from: thelakelander on July 01, 2015, 08:31:41 PM
So is the long term plan to add express lanes to every stretch of I-10, I-95 and I-295 through town?
The general direction is that all new interstate capacity projects will be tolled/express lanes. This includes I-10 and I-95.
As Charles pointed out, the next I-295 segment will extend this 9B to JTB section. FDOT is VERY aware of the bottleneck, and there a few minor improvements that could be done as a part of this project. It's just not officially a part of the current project.
Quote from: Doctor_K on July 01, 2015, 07:04:08 PM
Doesn't look like it will have any impact on the logjam that happens just north of the mixing bowl interchange @ JTB, as all of those extra lanes (heading NB) end before or at that interchange. So, I'd think these are all kind of useless as the traffic bottles up north of all of this anyway.
Fail.
Traffic bottles up quite badly at the 9B interchange in the afternoon.
Quote from: coredumped on July 01, 2015, 06:34:07 PM
Multi use path next to it? Or can't we afford that?
Not typical of a Limited Access facility like an interstate corridor. I'm not saying its not possible, FDOT could pull the noise walls in and put a multi use path outside the walls.
Lake, here's your opportunity to drop in and show the few examples of FDOT doing this across the state...
^No need to. What we've accepted as typical in the past is being changed as society's transportation infrastructure preferences change. Just look at FDOT's bicycle lane requirements. 30 years ago, we were still building major arterials without them. Then we went with 4' wide bicycle lanes as a standard. That lead to unsafe facilities like the bicycle lanes on Beach Boulevard. Now, the new standard is 7' buffered bicycle lanes. In other words, what was typical ended up evolving with the times. Locally, we may be arriving late to the party (making urban limited access corridors multimodal friendly) but we'll increasingly become more multimodal as our demographics change and population increases.
I tripped across some information years ago that suggested that six lanes in one direction was maximum that could realistically function.
We're there! Florida's First Coast-Where Miami Begins!
Regards future volume of average daily traffic,let's not forget that the landscape we see today is not what we will necessarily see or live with later-what in fact is the "projected" development ("Growth!!! 8) ) for the subject area,what is the current vesting and what is the anticipated land use/zone change assumed to be easily granted by the citizen's government?
We snoop around these matters typically long after future events have been empowered.
Quote from: southsider1015 on July 01, 2015, 06:17:10 PM
Well, its not a 12 lane section. It's an existing 4-lane section with a 4 new lanes, so 8 lanes and aux lanes for on and off ramps.
The DB team added a bunch of new improvements to score more points, which the public should really like.
Again, stay tuned!
that's semantics. I would agree that saying it is 12 lanes might be a stretch, but it sure as heck is more than 8 in places. I wonder if this is consistent with the adopted 2040 long range transportation plan? It sure wouldn't be with the one fone for 2035
Quote from: southsider1015 on July 01, 2015, 08:44:46 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on July 01, 2015, 08:31:41 PM
So is the long term plan to add express lanes to every stretch of I-10, I-95 and I-295 through town?
The general direction is that all new interstate capacity projects will be tolled/express lanes. This includes I-10 and I-95.
THAT IS RIDICULOUS. Again, the 2035 LRTP (far more progressive than the new one) did not envision any new capacity north of SR 202 on I-95 or inside the beltway on I-10. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
Quote from: tufsu1 on July 01, 2015, 09:44:59 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on July 01, 2015, 06:17:10 PM
Well, its not a 12 lane section. It's an existing 4-lane section with a 4 new lanes, so 8 lanes and aux lanes for on and off ramps.
The DB team added a bunch of new improvements to score more points, which the public should really like.
Again, stay tuned!
that's semantics. I would agree that saying it is 12 lanes might be a stretch, but it sure as heck is more than 8 in places. I wonder if this is consistent with the adopted 2040 long range transportation plan? It sure wouldn't be with the one fone for 2035
To be clear, the text in the article said "as many as 12 lanes" in some stretches. Now it's simply semantics if we want to label them general purpose, aux lanes, express lanes, etc.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Transit/Roads-and-Bridges/I-295-East-Beltway-Express/i-zDTW88B/0/XL/6088446_Page_0023-XL.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Transit/Roads-and-Bridges/I-295-East-Beltway-Express/i-vL9BmTg/0/XL/6088446_Page_0022-XL.jpg)
^I understand Southside has said they have more recent plans as of Wednesday, but in general, between Baymeadows and JTB, the typical cross sections are illustrating 12 to 13 lanes (aux + gpl + el).
Quote from: thelakelander on July 01, 2015, 09:13:05 PM
^No need to. What we've accepted as typical in the past is being changed as society's transportation infrastructure preferences change. Just look at FDOT's bicycle lane requirements. 30 years ago, we were still building major arterials without them. Then we went with 4' wide bicycle lanes as a standard. That lead to unsafe facilities like the bicycle lanes on Beach Boulevard. Now, the new standard is 7' buffered bicycle lanes. In other words, what was typical ended up evolving with the times. Locally, we may be arriving late to the party (making urban limited access corridors multimodal friendly) but we'll increasingly become more multimodal as our demographics change and population increases.
But the problem is if we don't do it when it's first built it will never get built. There's never any money for things other than cars it seems.
The suncoast trail ( https://goo.gl/maps/ODHQe ) goes through some very rural areas and they got that funded somehow. It seems more times than not when comparing us to other cities in Florida I'm left saying "why not Jax?"
I get the feeling that what southsider is implying is that the design-build team awarded the project has made some design changes acceptable to FDOT. If not a multi model path, maybe some bike/ped improvements at both Gate and Baymeadows. Noise walls, although I hate them as they tend to be ugly. A couple of those interchanges look like prime areas for the inverted diamond.
Quote from: coredumped on July 02, 2015, 10:11:58 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on July 01, 2015, 09:13:05 PM
^No need to. What we've accepted as typical in the past is being changed as society's transportation infrastructure preferences change. Just look at FDOT's bicycle lane requirements. 30 years ago, we were still building major arterials without them. Then we went with 4' wide bicycle lanes as a standard. That lead to unsafe facilities like the bicycle lanes on Beach Boulevard. Now, the new standard is 7' buffered bicycle lanes. In other words, what was typical ended up evolving with the times. Locally, we may be arriving late to the party (making urban limited access corridors multimodal friendly) but we'll increasingly become more multimodal as our demographics change and population increases.
But the problem is if we don't do it when it's first built it will never get built. There's never any money for things other than cars it seems.
The suncoast trail ( https://goo.gl/maps/ODHQe ) goes through some very rural areas and they got that funded somehow. It seems more times than not when comparing us to other cities in Florida I'm left saying "why not Jax?"
^Very true. Why not Jax? Northeast Florida is a pretty conservative place when it comes to moving on from things considered "tradition". Unfortunately, many making these decisions for us at the public and consulting levels are behind the times in fully embracing the concept of multimodal planning and investment. Thus, we're at a point, where the community has to advocate for better investments, which provides the political cover for those in government who have more direct influence on change. This was the method applied to the Fuller Warren Bridge situation and it led to a better product. FDOT will win awards for it when it's completed!
This could be a fantastic plus for Jacksonville! Expand the east beltway, re-do the interchanges then re-designate it as I-95 and the current portion that comes through the city could be I-295.
Move all of the through traffic around our city rather than through the middle of it.
If they had done this first the I-10/I-95 intersection would not have to be re-re-re built. When the latest interchange project is finished there will have been 22 years of continuous construction in and around the interchange and the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Tampa and St. Pete had I-75 routed around their cities. Richmond had I-95 routed around their city center too.
Quote from: Dog Walker on July 02, 2015, 01:04:37 PM
This could be a fantastic plus for Jacksonville! Expand the east beltway, re-do the interchanges then re-designate it as I-95 and the current portion that comes through the city could be I-295.
Move all of the through traffic around our city rather than through the middle of it.
If they had done this first the I-10/I-95 intersection would not have to be re-re-re built. When the latest interchange project is finished there will have been 22 years of continuous construction in and around the interchange and the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Tampa and St. Pete had I-75 routed around their cities. Richmond had I-95 routed around their city center too.
Precisely. Not saying this is happening, of course, but it's certainly an idea.
Quote from: tufsu1 on July 01, 2015, 09:48:56 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on July 01, 2015, 08:44:46 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on July 01, 2015, 08:31:41 PM
So is the long term plan to add express lanes to every stretch of I-10, I-95 and I-295 through town?
The general direction is that all new interstate capacity projects will be tolled/express lanes. This includes I-10 and I-95.
THAT IS RIDICULOUS. Again, the 2035 LRTP (far more progressive than the new one) did not envision any new capacity north of SR 202 on I-95 or inside the beltway on I-10. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
Let me clarify. All new interstate capacity projects, if needed and/or funded for construction, will likely be tolled. I'm not stating that I-10 or I-95 needs to be widened today (or in the future), just that IF widening was needed, then its VERY likely that the new lanes would be Express Lanes/Managed Lanes. Existing interstate lanes would likely remain non-tolled (free) due to the severe public backlash that typically comes with changing free lanes to toll lanes (See FCX).
As Charles had posted, there are a number of PD&E studies occuring or that will occur over the next few years that will be looking into current traffic/anticipated traffic, a variety of alternatives for different typical sections for additional lanes if needed, and the impacts to the surrounding areas. I-10, I-95, and I-295 are all on that list.
Quote from: Dog Walker on July 02, 2015, 01:04:37 PM
This could be a fantastic plus for Jacksonville! Expand the east beltway, re-do the interchanges then re-designate it as I-95 and the current portion that comes through the city could be I-295.
Move all of the through traffic around our city rather than through the middle of it.
If they had done this first the I-10/I-95 intersection would not have to be re-re-re built. When the latest interchange project is finished there will have been 22 years of continuous construction in and around the interchange and the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Tampa and St. Pete had I-75 routed around their cities. Richmond had I-95 routed around their city center too.
I don't believe there are any plans to expand the section of 295 north of JTB, so I do not think that could work.
Quote from: pierre on July 02, 2015, 02:04:13 PM
Quote from: Dog Walker on July 02, 2015, 01:04:37 PM
This could be a fantastic plus for Jacksonville! Expand the east beltway, re-do the interchanges then re-designate it as I-95 and the current portion that comes through the city could be I-295.
Move all of the through traffic around our city rather than through the middle of it.
If they had done this first the I-10/I-95 intersection would not have to be re-re-re built. When the latest interchange project is finished there will have been 22 years of continuous construction in and around the interchange and the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Tampa and St. Pete had I-75 routed around their cities. Richmond had I-95 routed around their city center too.
I don't believe there are any plans to expand the section of 295 north of JTB, so I do not think that could work.
To quote myself
Quote from: Charles Hunter on July 01, 2015, 07:42:12 PM
The next piece of Express Lanes, from JTB to Merrill Road / Southside Connector (south end of the Dames Point Bridge), has some money for engineering in 2020. Construction must be some time after then.
http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/fmsupportapps/workprogram/Support/WPItemRept.ASPX?RF=WP&D=02&CD=72&WM=0213|ADD%20LANES%20&%20RECONSTRUCT&SC=01|INTRASTATE%20INTERSTATE&FY=TRUE|TRUE|TRUE|TRUE|TRUE|FALSE&ITM=209301~4&RP=ITEM
This is for environmental and engineering work, construction would likely be in a few years after the study in 2020.
There is also a project for the piece between the Dames Point Bridge and I-95 - some engineering and buying right-of-way over the next couple years: http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/fmsupportapps/workprogram/Support/WPItemRept.ASPX?RF=WP&IT=209658&IS=4&FY=
Quote from: southsider1015 on July 02, 2015, 01:24:02 PM
Quote from: Dog Walker on July 02, 2015, 01:04:37 PM
This could be a fantastic plus for Jacksonville! Expand the east beltway, re-do the interchanges then re-designate it as I-95 and the current portion that comes through the city could be I-295.
Move all of the through traffic around our city rather than through the middle of it.
If they had done this first the I-10/I-95 intersection would not have to be re-re-re built. When the latest interchange project is finished there will have been 22 years of continuous construction in and around the interchange and the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Tampa and St. Pete had I-75 routed around their cities. Richmond had I-95 routed around their city center too.
Precisely. Not saying this is happening, of course, but it's certainly an idea.
What difference would it make? I-275 carries a ton of more traffic than I-75 in Tampa now. It's being widened through the core of that city as we speak now. Same goes for Richmond (I-95 was not rerouted). I-95 is being widened north of downtown despite I-295 bypassing the city on the outskirts. As long as we have residents, businesses, factories, warehouses, port terminals, etc. inside the beltway, we'll have a heavy amount of traffic that will need to be efficiently moved through the city.
Quote from: thelakelander on July 02, 2015, 06:13:32 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on July 02, 2015, 01:24:02 PM
Quote from: Dog Walker on July 02, 2015, 01:04:37 PM
This could be a fantastic plus for Jacksonville! Expand the east beltway, re-do the interchanges then re-designate it as I-95 and the current portion that comes through the city could be I-295.
Move all of the through traffic around our city rather than through the middle of it.
If they had done this first the I-10/I-95 intersection would not have to be re-re-re built. When the latest interchange project is finished there will have been 22 years of continuous construction in and around the interchange and the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Tampa and St. Pete had I-75 routed around their cities. Richmond had I-95 routed around their city center too.
Precisely. Not saying this is happening, of course, but it's certainly an idea.
What difference would it make? I-275 carries a ton of more traffic than I-75 in Tampa now. It's being widened through the core of that city as we speak now. Same goes for Richmond (I-95 was not rerouted). I-95 is being widened north of downtown despite I-295 bypassing the city on the outskirts. As long as we have residents, businesses, factories, warehouses, port terminals, etc. inside the beltway, we'll have a heavy amount of traffic that will need to be efficiently moved through the city.
The difference is regional traffic. Every little bit helps.
Except it's the 21st century. We can label the roads whatever we want but as long as it's faster to go through town on the highway currently known as I-95, don't assume that a drop in AADT will occur. Some type of infrastructure change on the mainline through town would have to be included to encourage or force regional traffic to alternative corridors.
Quote from: tufsu1 on July 01, 2015, 09:44:59 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on July 01, 2015, 06:17:10 PM
I wonder if this is consistent with the adopted 2040 long range transportation plan? It sure wouldn't be with the one fone for 2035
We have no business,nor should there be formal Plan "Horizon" for such fast forward "Foresight".
Related to Growth Management process,DCA et al,Sector Plan expanded time frame"Horizon" ushered forward under the assumption ( 'Guise') of supposed greater grasp,responsibilty,checks helped move the expanded Go To Plaid 'Horizon'. By a relative few years.
Lake Asbury Sector Plan (Outer Limits Beltway) Number One ( 'not authorized').....and Da'Number Two provided hints.
(Yep,another Obtuse KG post 8) Just awaiting somebody else to Profile the Lake Asbury expanded planning horizon Sector Plan 1 Non Authorized and #2 episode. I need another chapter.)
Random word generator bot?
Quote from: thelakelander on July 02, 2015, 08:06:19 PM
Except it's the 21st century. We can label the roads whatever we want but as long as it's faster to go through town on the highway currently known as I-95, don't assume that a drop in AADT will occur. Some type of infrastructure change on the mainline through town would have to be included to encourage or force regional traffic to alternative corridors.
I'm not so concerned with the road name designation, but the fact that I-295 might be able to get you from St. Johns to Nassau faster than I-95 because of these Express Lanes would be a nice benefit, no?
Again, I don't know if it will be faster, but it could be one day. Even just by the added capacity, maybe regional traffic would use just the GPL lanes (free) on I-295 instead.
It's just a possible benefit, that's all.
In the event that Jax ever gets a real rush hour (doubt it will be soon with DT's high vacancy rates), my guess is 95 will eventually have express lanes. I believe you've even mentioned that before.
QuoteI don't know if it will be faster, but it could be one day
Sounds like a good reason to spend another few hundred million to find out whether it will work.
That line of thinking worked out really well for Richmond 15 years ago.
Let us hope that FDOT does something about the chokepoint under JTB there is probably room for four lanes each way under this section and the backup also occurs where traffic from JTB moves onto I-295 northbound. If the these issues are not addressed properly the Lexus Lanes will be useless.
Talk about another cluster &***. This is another waste of Jax's time and funds at what point of time are we going to ever finish something that was started with quality? At what point are we going to have a project that was done not need repair or additions made within five to ten years? At what point are we going to inspect the minds of the people who are passing out permits like water to a fire? So many obvious questions yet most will not ask because not sure they are willing to demand answers or are worth the effort.
Quote from: Metro Jacksonville on July 01, 2015, 03:00:01 AM
I-295 East Beltway Being Expanded to 12 Lanes
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/4163415686_JSFTgW5-L.jpg)
Don't believe us? Take a look at the plans and count them for yourself!
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-jul-i-295-east-beltway-being-expanded-to-12-lanes (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-jul-i-295-east-beltway-being-expanded-to-12-lanes)
I don't believe ANYTHING written by this magazine anymore. I read the article about the city council approved ferris wheel, and told lots of people about it. Finally, someone called the city council, who explained to me it was a lie. Of course, the excuse for the lie was that it was a prank, by metronews, and the reader was supposed to realize that from the day it was published.
I don't think April Fools Day is a national holiday for anyone over the age of 18. I know metronews lied to the readers on that day, and I haven't read an article in that publication since then. I have no respect for The Onion, for it's journalistic integrity or humor, and this publication chose to follow that lead, leaving me with the same impression.
So, my only choice when I see a headline like this is to wait for a trustworthy news source to bring it to my attention. It's a really sad, sad day in the name of news when the Florida Times Union is the closest stand-in for credible news in this city.
As to the I-295 expansion, two things: 1,) I remember an election where toll roads were voted on and the populace said NO to having them, and 2.) I read recently that Jacksonville was going to have a new interstate known as I-795 which would include SR 9B which is discussed in this article. Is I-795 the same issue as this article?
9-B IS I-795, the 9-B being the states official designation and I-795 the official federal designation.
Quote from: PJparker on July 03, 2015, 11:55:20 AM
I don't believe ANYTHING written by this magazine anymore. I read the article about the city council approved ferris wheel, and told lots of people about it. Finally, someone called the city council, who explained to me it was a lie. Of course, the excuse for the lie was that it was a prank, by metronews, and the reader was supposed to realize that from the day it was published.
I don't think April Fools Day is a national holiday for anyone over the age of 18. I know metronews lied to the readers on that day, and I haven't read an article in that publication since then. I have no respect for The Onion, for it's journalistic integrity or humor, and this publication chose to follow that lead, leaving me with the same impression.
So, my only choice when I see a headline like this is to wait for a trustworthy news source to bring it to my attention. It's a really sad, sad day in the name of news when the Florida Times Union is the closest stand-in for credible news in this city.
So count yourself as one of our unsuspecting victims, it's actually quite hard to come up with believable news spoofs that work. The mainstream and not so mainstream media have been doing this for hundreds of years, (in fact it's believed to go WAY back), and we decided a few years ago that taking a laugh break one day a year was worth the effort. Here are 31 other great news spoofs...honest!:
20. On April 1, 1957, the BBC broadcast a documentary spoof that convinced viewers the Swiss were growing spaghetti in trees. Some viewers railed at the network afterwards, but others called the Beeb to find out where they could get their own spaghetti bushes.
19. Terry Jones from Monty Python. Jones explains that the first flying penguin colony has been discovered, and they migrate in winter to tropical rainforests of South America.
The beautifully shot nature clip is, in fact, a spoof ad for BBC programming online.
18. In a 1998 a a newsletter titled "New Mexicans for Science and Reason" claimed that Alabama's legislature was going to make things simpler for everybody and round off pi to 3.
17. Got an old gaming console around, but can't seem to find your way around town with it? Google in 2012 announced it would release Google Maps in 8-Bit for Nintendo.
A Google product manager walks you through the simple process of blowing on the cartridge when it won't work after being inserted the first time. Follow along with this simple instructional video.
"We realized that we may have left behind a large number of users who couldn't access Google Maps on their classic hardware," the company said on its web site. "Surprisingly, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was unsupported, despite its tremendous popularity with over 60 million units sold worldwide."
16. During the construction of Copenhagen's new subway in 2001, a train car appeared on the street as if it were breaking through the surface. A sign for Gevalia coffee appears in the back window -- the brand was known for a marketing campaign that encouraged coffee drinkers to be ready for unexpected guests.
15. In 2000, Taco Bell bought a full-page ad in the New York Times with some patriotic news: The fast food chain had purchased the Liberty Bell and renamed it The Taco Bell Liberty Bell.
The company said the move would help reduce the national debt, inspiring thousands to protest what they considered corporate sponsorship run amok.
14. The following year, Taco Bell said they would offer everyone in the United States a free taco if the descending Mir Space station hit a target that the company had placed in the middle of the South Pacific.
13. NPR announced in a 1992 broadcast that Richard Nixon would run again for president, after resigning in disgrace in 1974. His slogan? "I didn't do anything wrong, and I won't do it again."
12. Since then, they've hoaxed their audience with stories on the first farm-raised whales, Twitter reducing its character count to 133, and a movement called slow-net wave made up of people who enjoy the "more tactile experience" of dial-up Internet.
11. Sports Illustrated played on the hopes of long-suffering New York Mets fans with a story about a fast-throwing rookie. The article claimed that young Sidd Finch could throw a fastball ball 168 mph -- about 70 mph faster than the record -- and without warming up.
10. George Plimpton penned the 1985 story, "The Curious Case of Sidd Finch," explaining the phenom had been raised in an orphanage, learning yoga in Tibet and whose name was short for Siddhartha.
The magazine published a small article about his retirement in the next issue, and announced it as a hoax on April 15.
9. NPR's flagship program, All Things Considered, announced in 2005 that low-carb diet fads had reduced demand for maple syrup. Untapped maples were exploding, reported host Robert Siegel, creating a dangerous situation for New Englanders.
"An untapped tree," Siegel intoned seriously, "is a time bomb waiting to go off. Quiet stands of nature's sweeteners can turn into spindly demons of destruction."
Untapped maple trees that year caused 87 fatalities, 140 maimings, and a dozen decapitations, Siegel said. "That's the highest, ever."
8. Econoland: In 2009, the Economist announced an economics-themed amusement park, complete with a "Dow Jones Roller Coaster."
7. The edible newspaper: London's Metro put together a photo gallery of people munching on the free daily. The finished pages, it wrote in 2011, "are even given a light vanilla scent."
6. Belgium dissolves. In 1992, the Times of London reported that the north of Belgium was negotiating to join Holland, while the Walloon regions would become France's hat. It was all hilarious until this nearly happened.
5. Columnist causes fishermen to panic. Monofilament, reported the Erie Times-News' Dave Heberle in 1978, had been banned for potentially causing cancer in brook trout. A local shop sold out of the line, and Heberle was fired.
4. The Guardian becomes a Twitter-only publication. Most of its fellow publications, the paper noted in 2009, "now offer Twitter feeds of major breaking news headlines, while the Daily Mail recently pioneered an iPhone application providing users with a one-click facility for reporting suspicious behaviour by migrants or gays."
3. The Old Lyme Gazette's various hoaxes. Over the years, the weekly has announced it was being purchased by Charles Kuralt (who promised to double staff by cutting the reporters in half), and later that it was being purchased by the Soviet news agency TASS.
2. Ferrets lay cable for Virgin Media. "Our decision to use them is due to their strong nesting instinct, their long, lean build and inquisitive nature, and for their ability to get down holes," project manager Jon James told The Telegraph in 2010.
1. San Seriffe. In 1977 the Guardian based an entire travel section on a semi-colon-shaped island in the Indian Ocean whose capital was Bodoni; popular beach towns were named Garamondo and Villa Pica. This remains the standard by which other newspaper hoaxes must be judged. The Guardian even got advertisers to create special San Seriffe-themed ads. You can read scans of the whole section here.
I read on this site that both Macy's AND Ikea were coming and still nothing! I pay good money for this site and I'm entitled to facts, I'm never coming here again! :P
Quote from: nadine on July 03, 2015, 01:30:52 PM
As to the I-295 expansion, two things: 1,) I remember an election where toll roads were voted on and the populace said NO to having them, and 2.) I read recently that Jacksonville was going to have a new interstate known as I-795 which would include SR 9B which is discussed in this article. Is I-795 the same issue as this article?
The CITY voted that, but not the state. The City has no control over the interstate system.
See, the problems really lie in Washington as it the relate to the Highway Trust Fund, which is sill insolvent today. If state DOTs were adequately funded, we could continue to pay for our transportation needs the the current gas tax model. Since we've significantly improved gad mileage, we're buying less gas and paying less gas tax, but were driving more than ever before.
Look, no one wants to pay a toll, and in fact, you'll be able to drive in I-295 without paying any tolls AND still benefit from the additional lanes.
The promises from an old mayor (now newly elected councilman) continue to confuse Jacksonville folks. It would be nice if he were more clear about what the City can and cannot do.
Quote from: thelakelander on July 03, 2015, 09:04:47 AM
In the event that Jax ever gets a real rush hour (doubt it will be soon with DT's high vacancy rates), my guess is 95 will eventually have express lanes. I believe you've even mentioned that before.
It's VERY early in its inception. Construction year could be 2030, if ever. There's no significant rush; level of service is decent. Overland Bridge DB was an opportunity to add some capacity while replacing the bridge. The upcoming I-10/I-95 Operational Improvements will extend the newly added capacity over the Fuller Warron, add additional ramps, and fix some other issues. The JTB interchange project is adding the badly needed flyover to the Beaches. These projects should really help the LOS on this strech of I-95. Managed Lanes shouldn't be a major priority right now.
Quote from: brucef58 on July 03, 2015, 11:30:37 AM
Let us hope that FDOT does something about the chokepoint under JTB there is probably room for four lanes each way under this section and the backup also occurs where traffic from JTB moves onto I-295 northbound. If the these issues are not addressed properly the Lexus Lanes will be useless.
I-95 overpasses JTB, so adding EL onto I-95 is really just widening existing bridges, I believe. The JTB interchange project is addressing the WB JTB to NB I-95 and Belfort onramp weave that I think you're talking about. Last concept I saw had a vertically separated "braid" onramp to eliminte the weave.
Quote from: thewendyjx on July 03, 2015, 11:53:04 AM
Talk about another cluster &***. This is another waste of Jax's time and funds at what point of time are we going to ever finish something that was started with quality? At what point are we going to have a project that was done not need repair or additions made within five to ten years? At what point are we going to inspect the minds of the people who are passing out permits like water to a fire? So many obvious questions yet most will not ask because not sure they are willing to demand answers or are worth the effort.
Good thing this project isn't funded by Jax funds! Man, we'd be in serious trouble if JTA was still in the business of highways and bridges.
I get that you're frustrated, confused, uninformed, and tired of construction. So many Jacksonville folks are, and we've got to do a better job of informing, discussing, and participating.
I see you're new with only 2 posts. Please stick around and stay connected!
Quote from: stephendare on July 03, 2015, 07:26:28 PM
um. JEA is the roadbuilding agency in duval southsider.
Um, you mean the Jacksonville Expressway Authority? More like WAS. And it hasn't been since 1971.
Atlanta, here we come! Heck, if FDOT were to widen the I-295 east corridor to 14 or 16 lanes, we would have even Atlanta, GA beat for the most significant amount of sand under asphalt. The toll thing just needs to go away. We got rid of toll roads a long time ago, and, for good reason. They discourage economic growth and add to congestion and accidents. Let's not go backwards, Jacksonville.
Quote from: stephendare on July 03, 2015, 09:00:19 PM
Sorry, I pressed send while auto spell was correcting JTA to JEA for me. And yes, the JTA is the road building authority in Duval County. Surprised you didn't know that.
Thanks. Tongue in chee, my friend. Without BJP, they haven't done much, and obviously, not enough to even maintain what we've got today.
^Pretty much.
Quote from: stephendare on July 03, 2015, 09:00:19 PM
Sorry, I pressed send while auto spell was correcting JTA to JEA for me. And yes, the JTA is the road building authority in Duval County. Surprised you didn't know that.
FDOT builds and funds their own roads throughout the state, including Jax too.
Quote from: wnettles on July 03, 2015, 09:21:29 PM
Atlanta, here we come!
Whats funny is the first thing I thought about when I saw the headline of this article was the old Better Jacksonville Plan commercials. With John Delaney sitting in traffic saying "Don't let Atlanta happen here".
Quote from: thelakelander on July 04, 2015, 05:10:32 AM
^Pretty much.
Quote from: stephendare on July 03, 2015, 09:00:19 PM
Sorry, I pressed send while auto spell was correcting JTA to JEA for me. And yes, the JTA is the road building authority in Duval County. Surprised you didn't know that.
FDOT builds and funds their own roads throughout the state, including Jax too.
Who is picking up the tab for the current I-95 project south of Fuller Warren? And who is picking up the tab for 9B and this proposed section of 295? JTA or FDOT, I'm confused. Where is the line drawn for highway projects between city and state? Do they both contribute?
All those are FDOT projects. JTA doesn't have much money. FDOT typically funds and maintain interstates and state highways. COJ funds and maintains local streets. JTA occasionally builds streets but I don't believe they are set up to maintain them. In other words, FDOT is funding most of the major construction projects in town, at the moment.
Status Update:
The 2nd place bidder (Superior Construction) has protested FDOT's Intent to Award to the 1st place bidder (Archer Western). The protester claims that the procurement process wasnt properly followed, and that the winner had an unfair advantage. The project is on hold until further notice.
Meanwhile, traffic is gridlocked on I-295, JTB, and 9B.
The traffic is far from "gridlocked" but this is an interesting turn of events. This will be a big money maker for firms that have made a living relying on a continuous flow of these types of public projects to keep their doors open. To be honest, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 07:27:02 PM
The traffic is far from "gridlocked" but this is an interesting turn of events. This will be a big money maker for firms that have made a living relying on a continuous flow of these types of public projects to keep their doors open. To be honest, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
$3 million study!
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 07:27:02 PM
The traffic is far from "gridlocked" but this is an interesting turn of events. This will be a big money maker for firms that have made a living relying on a continuous flow of these types of public projects to keep their doors open. To be honest, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
Is this segment of I-295 part of your daily commute? I'm thinking not. The peak AM/PM rush hour is TERRIBLE. Check it out on Google Maps.
Making a living providing services, materials, labor, etc. for the public good? Thousands of workers in Jacksonville, NE Florida, and around the state are impacted by this work. The profit margin in the road construction business isn't even CLOSE to the profits made in financial, medical, and legal industries. Sure , professionals, skilled laborers, and unskilled laborers have been making a living off these dollars. How else should society invest public dollars back into the local economy if not infrastructure?
Your comments are a bit off. I would think that someone with your experience would be a little bit more insightful.
^I know these types of projects butters your bread but that doesn't make my comments off a bit. It just means we don't share the same view on this particular issue. In addition, I'll admit, I've been traveling too much lately. Compared to major cities in this country, we have a few delays here and there, but nothing serious. Get caught in rush hour on 101 in San Francisco or the Dan Ryan in Chicago and you'll see what real congestion looks and feels like.
Quote from: CCMjax on August 12, 2015, 08:05:18 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 07:27:02 PM
The traffic is far from "gridlocked" but this is an interesting turn of events. This will be a big money maker for firms that have made a living relying on a continuous flow of these types of public projects to keep their doors open. To be honest, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
$3 million study!
Southsider would be in favor of this! ;)
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 07:21:07 PM
Status Update:
The 2nd place bidder (Superior Construction) has protested FDOT's Intent to Award to the 1st place bidder (Archer Western). The protester claims that the procurement process wasnt properly followed, and that the winner had an unfair advantage. The project is on hold until further notice.
this is pretty common in the construction bidding process...that said, FDOT design-build contracts are pretty clear on modifications that can be made to the concept design being bid on. From an earlier post you made, it sounds like one of the teams came up with some "enhancements". Seems that very much could open the door for other bidders to protest.
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 09:14:21 PM
The profit margin in the road construction business isn't even CLOSE to the profits made in financial, medical, and legal industries.
It sure hasn't stopped them from spending millions of dollars each year on lobbying and political contributions throughout Florida
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 12, 2015, 10:18:45 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 07:21:07 PM
Status Update:
The 2nd place bidder (Superior Construction) has protested FDOT's Intent to Award to the 1st place bidder (Archer Western). The protester claims that the procurement process wasnt properly followed, and that the winner had an unfair advantage. The project is on hold until further notice.
this is pretty common in the construction bidding process...that said, FDOT design-build contracts are pretty clear on modifications that can be made to the concept design being bid on. From an earlier post you made, it sounds like one of the teams came up with some "enhancements". Seems that very much could open the door for other bidders to protest.
To my knowledge, the amount of protesting occurring on traditional, low bid/unit price roadway projects is VERY low. They bid unit prices on the contract quantities, plain and simple.
FDOT has had a recent surge in using an Adjusted Score Design-Build procurement method on many of its large projects. And given the complex nature that this procurement method, and the competitive spirit $100 M projects bring out (as Lake mentioned), the amount of protests occurring on these types of jobs is growing.
All 4 shortlisted teams provided enhancements/concepts to improve the project, whether it's by safer geometry, additional turn lanes, etc that add value to the project. The process to get these concepts approved confidentiality is difficult and very technical, and the rules can be subjective and difficult to comply with the full extent. Any type of competitive advantage can be exploited into a protest, regardless if its substantial and changed the outcome in the scoring/pricing. Even if the case of the protest is weak, it could be used as leverage in negotiations on other projects that are behind on schedule/over budget/etc.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 09:31:01 PM
Quote from: CCMjax on August 12, 2015, 08:05:18 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 07:27:02 PM
The traffic is far from "gridlocked" but this is an interesting turn of events. This will be a big money maker for firms that have made a living relying on a continuous flow of these types of public projects to keep their doors open. To be honest, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
$3 million study!
Southsider would be in favor of this! ;)
I've seen an extra $30,000 spent on design save $30 million in construction, and $300 million saved in right of way. Non technical folks love to cry about how much money is "wasted" on consultants. Does anyone complain about all the medical and legal fees? No.
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 12, 2015, 10:20:18 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 09:14:21 PM
The profit margin in the road construction business isn't even CLOSE to the profits made in financial, medical, and legal industries.
It sure hasn't stopped them from spending millions of dollars each year on lobbying and political contributions throughout Florida
I'm not naive, by any means, to the political connections to the road and bridges construction industry. But I've met and worked with a lot of politicians, contractors, lobbyists, engineers, architects, and other industry leaders. This industry is very honest, hardworking, intelligent, and honorable. Please don't try to include it with the slime and corrupt that makes up the majority of the big industries in this state.
It's not nearly as big of a conspiracy as you and Stephen sometimes make it out to be.
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 10:47:12 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 12, 2015, 10:20:18 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 09:14:21 PM
The profit margin in the road construction business isn't even CLOSE to the profits made in financial, medical, and legal industries.
It sure hasn't stopped them from spending millions of dollars each year on lobbying and political contributions throughout Florida
I'm not naive, by any means, to the political connections to the road and bridges construction industry. But I've met and worked with a lot of politicians, contractors, lobbyists, engineers, architects, and other industry leaders. This industry is very honest, hardworking, intelligent, and honorable. Please don't try to include it with the slime and corrupt that makes up the majority of the big industries in this state.
It's not nearly as big of a conspiracy as you and Stephen sometimes make it out to be.
One of the most effective drivers behind the Brannon/Chaffee/First Coast Outer Beltway was not the Road Building Industry but rather, a handful of property owners and Boosters easily identified via Official Record Book & Page. And even,later,connections to DOT Secretary.
The interface "consultants" entered the stage later,predictably.
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 10:37:20 PM
I've seen an extra $30,000 spent on design save $30 million in construction, and $300 million saved in right of way. Non technical folks love to cry about how much money is "wasted" on consultants. Does anyone complain about all the medical and legal fees? No.
Yes. For example, affordable healthcare has been a major issue during both of Obama's terms. I suspect a lot more from the average person than doesn't know a little more about the road construction industry. Most of the country still believes that gas taxes pay for roads by themselves.
Quote from: Know Growth on August 12, 2015, 11:08:33 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 10:47:12 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 12, 2015, 10:20:18 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 09:14:21 PM
The profit margin in the road construction business isn't even CLOSE to the profits made in financial, medical, and legal industries.
It sure hasn't stopped them from spending millions of dollars each year on lobbying and political contributions throughout Florida
I'm not naive, by any means, to the political connections to the road and bridges construction industry. But I've met and worked with a lot of politicians, contractors, lobbyists, engineers, architects, and other industry leaders. This industry is very honest, hardworking, intelligent, and honorable. Please don't try to include it with the slime and corrupt that makes up the majority of the big industries in this state.
It's not nearly as big of a conspiracy as you and Stephen sometimes make it out to be.
One of the most effective drivers behind the Brannon/Chaffee/First Coast Outer Beltway was not the Road Building Industry but rather, a handful of property owners and Boosters easily identified via Official Record Book & Page. And even,later,connections to DOT Secretary.
The interface "consultants" entered the stage later,predictably.
A handful of property owners interested in putting Clay County on the map. Again, its not the conspiracy that you continue to rant on here.
Should we pretend that in order to plan a major toll corridor thru undeveloped areas that no discussions with the property owners were going to occur over the last 20 years? Where are the political contributions going? The Sec Trans, a non-elected/Governor nominated position? What sort of connections are you implying? Business connections, like the ones need to get things done?
Come on, please take off your tin foil hats.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 11:09:25 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 10:37:20 PM
I've seen an extra $30,000 spent on design save $30 million in construction, and $300 million saved in right of way. Non technical folks love to cry about how much money is "wasted" on consultants. Does anyone complain about all the medical and legal fees? No.
Yes. For example, affordable healthcare has been a major issue during both of Obama's terms. I suspect a lot more from the average person than does how know a little more about the road construction industry. Most of the country still believes that gas taxes pay for roads by themselves.
Completely agree that the public is very uninformed, and many ways, agnostic, to how infrastructure funding/construction works. It's why we continue to receive failing grades on the ASCE Report Cards. We want free infrastructure, and don't want to pay for it. We want free healthcare, but don't want to pay for it. It's ridiculous.
^I'll agree here. We claim we want a lot of things but tend to not be willing to want to pay for them.
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 10:37:20 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 09:31:01 PM
Quote from: CCMjax on August 12, 2015, 08:05:18 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 07:27:02 PM
The traffic is far from "gridlocked" but this is an interesting turn of events. This will be a big money maker for firms that have made a living relying on a continuous flow of these types of public projects to keep their doors open. To be honest, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
$3 million study!
Southsider would be in favor of this! ;)
I've seen an extra $30,000 spent on design save $30 million in construction, and $300 million saved in right of way. Non technical folks love to cry about how much money is "wasted" on consultants. Does anyone complain about all the medical and legal fees? No.
Southsider - Obviously you didn't get the joke . . . it was a reference to the JEA study on their building that they are saying will cost $3 million. I work in design, I am a consultant and go through VE and pricing exercises all the time so I hope you're not assuming I'm an uninformed "non-tech folk" that doesn't understand the value of consultants, if that was even directed toward me. And you mention $30,000, that is more realistic for some studies, even $300,000 studies or redesign efforts are normal for large projects and sometimes end up saving millions in total cost. Not $3,000,000 like JEA is proposing . . . that sounds like more along the lines of a study for a state-wide interstate system, not a single aging building that has very little historical or aesthetic value in DT Jax.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 11:56:28 PM
^I'll agree here. We claim we want a lot of things but tend to not be willing to want to pay for them.
Oh - and while we get these things, we don't want them to inconvenience us (e.g have good rail / air / traffic infrastructure but live in a quiet place).
;-)
Then again, many companies tend to be the same way - use all the infrastructure (roads, courts, patent office) but don't pay any taxes to fund them...
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 10:47:12 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 12, 2015, 10:20:18 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 09:14:21 PM
The profit margin in the road construction business isn't even CLOSE to the profits made in financial, medical, and legal industries.
It sure hasn't stopped them from spending millions of dollars each year on lobbying and political contributions throughout Florida
I'm not naive, by any means, to the political connections to the road and bridges construction industry. But I've met and worked with a lot of politicians, contractors, lobbyists, engineers, architects, and other industry leaders. This industry is very honest, hardworking, intelligent, and honorable. Please don't try to include it with the slime and corrupt that makes up the majority of the big industries in this state.
It's not nearly as big of a conspiracy as you and Stephen sometimes make it out to be.
not sure who exactly you're talking about....because folks like Lakelander and I work in the industry
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 07:21:07 PM
Status Update:
The 2nd place bidder (Superior Construction) has protested FDOT's Intent to Award to the 1st place bidder (Archer Western). The protester claims that the procurement process wasnt properly followed, and that the winner had an unfair advantage. The project is on hold until further notice.
Meanwhile, traffic is gridlocked on I-295, JTB, and 9B.
I am interested in seeing how bad the 9B/9A merger gets when the new 95/9B interchange opens. That four lane to two lane joke will be ugly I think.
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 10:47:12 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 12, 2015, 10:20:18 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 09:14:21 PM
The profit margin in the road construction business isn't even CLOSE to the profits made in financial, medical, and legal industries.
It sure hasn't stopped them from spending millions of dollars each year on lobbying and political contributions throughout Florida
I'm not naive, by any means, to the political connections to the road and bridges construction industry. But I've met and worked with a lot of politicians, contractors, lobbyists, engineers, architects, and other industry leaders. This industry is very honest, hardworking, intelligent, and honorable. Please don't try to include it with the slime and corrupt that makes up the majority of the big industries in this state.
It's not nearly as big of a conspiracy as you and Stephen sometimes make it out to be.
Southsider, do you think there's a possible connection between your personal investment in the industry and your thoughts about what it does and how it runs?
How could there not be a connection? But so what? Clearly lakelander and tufsu1, along with others, have their vested interests too that color their takes. We all have our biases.
Quote from: RattlerGator on August 13, 2015, 12:08:11 PM
How could there not be a connection? But so what? Clearly lakelander and tufsu1, along with others, have their vested interests too that color their takes. We all have our biases.
Because Lake and Tufsu1 don't seem to have as lofty an opinion of the industry, despite also being involved in it.
I'm a fiscal conservative that doesn't follow any traditional party platform. I'm not a fan of waste, regardless of the industry or development type. When it comes to transportation, you can easily find me supporting a mass transit or road project in one situation and opposing them on another. Same goes for investing in downtown and suburbs.
Quote from: CCMjax on August 13, 2015, 07:56:12 AM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 10:37:20 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 09:31:01 PM
Quote from: CCMjax on August 12, 2015, 08:05:18 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 12, 2015, 07:27:02 PM
The traffic is far from "gridlocked" but this is an interesting turn of events. This will be a big money maker for firms that have made a living relying on a continuous flow of these types of public projects to keep their doors open. To be honest, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
$3 million study!
Southsider would be in favor of this! ;)
I've seen an extra $30,000 spent on design save $30 million in construction, and $300 million saved in right of way. Non technical folks love to cry about how much money is "wasted" on consultants. Does anyone complain about all the medical and legal fees? No.
Southsider - Obviously you didn't get the joke . . . it was a reference to the JEA study on their building that they are saying will cost $3 million. I work in design, I am a consultant and go through VE and pricing exercises all the time so I hope you're not assuming I'm an uninformed "non-tech folk" that doesn't understand the value of consultants, if that was even directed toward me. And you mention $30,000, that is more realistic for some studies, even $300,000 studies or redesign efforts are normal for large projects and sometimes end up saving millions in total cost. Not $3,000,000 like JEA is proposing . . . that sounds like more along the lines of a study for a state-wide interstate system, not a single aging building that has very little historical or aesthetic value in DT Jax.
Sorry, I missed the joke. And I apparently didn't aim my comment at you, given your background.
What would be helpful for JEA is to explain how they arrived to that number. Not asking for full out transparency, just bullet points on it.
Once folks start to understand what all goes into these studies, and the amount of labor/time that goes into them, people tend to back off on the criticism.
Similar concept here with FCX. FDOT doesn't explain all the details, so the public is confused and believes in conspiracies.
Quote from: copperfiend on August 13, 2015, 10:41:05 AM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 07:21:07 PM
Status Update:
The 2nd place bidder (Superior Construction) has protested FDOT's Intent to Award to the 1st place bidder (Archer Western). The protester claims that the procurement process wasnt properly followed, and that the winner had an unfair advantage. The project is on hold until further notice.
Meanwhile, traffic is gridlocked on I-295, JTB, and 9B.
I am interested in seeing how bad the 9B/9A merger gets when the new 95/9B interchange opens. That four lane to two lane joke will be ugly I think.
Yup. Big yup.
Quote from: Tacachale on August 13, 2015, 11:55:52 AM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 10:47:12 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 12, 2015, 10:20:18 PM
Quote from: southsider1015 on August 12, 2015, 09:14:21 PM
The profit margin in the road construction business isn't even CLOSE to the profits made in financial, medical, and legal industries.
It sure hasn't stopped them from spending millions of dollars each year on lobbying and political contributions throughout Florida
I'm not naive, by any means, to the political connections to the road and bridges construction industry. But I've met and worked with a lot of politicians, contractors, lobbyists, engineers, architects, and other industry leaders. This industry is very honest, hardworking, intelligent, and honorable. Please don't try to include it with the slime and corrupt that makes up the majority of the big industries in this state.
It's not nearly as big of a conspiracy as you and Stephen sometimes make it out to be.
Southsider, do you think there's a possible connection between your personal investment in the industry and your thoughts about what it does and how it runs?
Funny. Of course, I'm biased. Like another poster said, we all are.
Quote from: Tacachale on August 13, 2015, 12:41:51 PM
Quote from: RattlerGator on August 13, 2015, 12:08:11 PM
How could there not be a connection? But so what? Clearly lakelander and tufsu1, along with others, have their vested interests too that color their takes. We all have our biases.
Because Lake and Tufsu1 don't seem to have as lofty an opinion of the industry, despite also being involved in it.
Too funny. Lofty. Life is too short to work at a job that you hate, right?
Even so, I like to think that I bring some balance to this forum. I believe I'm pretty well informed on these topics, given my profession and experience. Lake, Stephen Dare, and some of the other posters typically agree with each other, and that's great, but I usually don't. There's more than one side to these issues, and the opposition to what's being said here needs to be heard.
Having said all that, I've learned a lot since I started lurking, and I enjoy the discussions. I hope others can say the same.
^I'm a pretty independent thinker. Stephen and I debate on various issues more than me and you do!