Fuller Warren Bridge Replacement - Major Missed Opportunity for Jacksonville

[stjr]

Yes, the Richmond example would probably not be feasible for the St. Johns.

LOL, that bridge is taking things to an extreme!  Our FDOT would never build a rope bridge because that's not in the standards manual and might take some extra creativity and persistence to get approved.

[stjr]

Nevermind the fact, stjr, that the Pittsburgh bridge is not 75ft over water either, and suicide would likely fail by plummeting to the water. Instead, you'd likely drown. Still, I don't expect FDOT to want to take the risk in doing such a project either. The design of the shown bridge also protects pedestrians better, instead of the concrete barrier on the bridges around here.

I'll admit it, I was wrong, but as I said, don't expect FDOT to be on board.

Reed, thanks for the admission.

My real point is that our state's DOT, while technically competent and well intentioned, is selling us and itself short by being overly rigid in applying the "rules of the road", to the detriment of our community.  They should take pride in coming up with solutions to unique challenges that are both creative, innovative, community friendly, and imaginative while also being safe and cost effective rather than just shutting the door in everyone's face and saying its always by the book, every other idea or thought be damned.

As to height and/or providing incentives to jumpers, if someone wants to jump off a bridge they will find away to do it no matter the brilliance of attempts by FDOT to deny them such a freedom and FDOT needs to take that off their list of concerns.  The Buckman and Fuller Warren have no sidewalks but anyone can pull into the DOT provided emergency lane and make the "leap of a lifetime".  Once your wet, no sense getting out of the rain.

As to risk, hey, driving is always risky, as is walking, in our auto dominated society.  For that matter, everything has some risks and it can never be reduced to zero.  FDOT is smothering its customers (that's us) with its overreaction to risk if this is truly how risk averse they are.

Regarding design, there is no question a sidewalk could be run along the Fuller Warren that could reasonably protect and segregate pedestrians from the interstate.  We just need to commit to it as a priority worthy of the effort.  To date, the Fuller Warren project has been devoid of any such effort IMHO which is why I started this thread.

Hopefully, the Pittsburgh bridge helps to "drive" home my point that anything can be done if we all want it bad enough and join together to get it done. 

[braeburn]

The Skyline looks rather odd on the way to the Fuller Warren Bridge going North on I-95. South however is pretty spectacular, as you're crossing the bridge.

Has anyone else ever noticed how the Bank of America obelisk behind Modis makes it look like the Modis building is wearing a hat? 

[tufsu1]

I will not admit to being woirng....and no Stephen, there is no egg oin my face...as quoted, I previously said "Interstates can not have bikes or peds...its just that simple!"

As shown here, the pedestrians and bicycles are not on the roadway itself, but are physicaly separated by a barrier....and the path clearly starts and ends off the interstate....I have never said this couldn't be done....the bike trail adjacent to the Suncoast Pkwy in the Tampa Bay area is a perfect example.

Just understand this, a simple 3-4' jersey wall (concrete barrier) like the one on the Acosta Bridge won't suffice....the Suncoast Pkwy trail is set back (high speed clear zone) and has a fence that's probably at least 12' high separating it from the road.

[heights unknown]

The Skyline looks rather odd on the way to the Fuller Warren Bridge going North on I-95. South however is pretty spectacular, as you're crossing the bridge.

Has anyone else ever noticed how the Bank of America obelisk behind Modis makes it look like the Modis building is wearing a hat? 

Yeah, and to me it looks odd and weird with the tallest building (BOA) being hidden by MODIS, but it is what it is; they should have made BOA about 85 feet taller, that way it would be clearly seen from all angles regardless of MODIS covering it from about the neck and/or waist down.

Going north on 95 is a great skyline view (north to south), but my favorite is going north on I-95 across the Fuller Warren with the east-west view of the skyline.

Heights Unknown

[stjr]

A nice picture of the bridge Jacksonville did NOT build!

"THINKING BIG The Golden Gate Bridge under construction in 1937, when an era of huge public works projects was under way. "

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/weekinreview/29uchitelle.html?_r=1&hp

[tufsu1]

we have the modern version of that...its caled the Dames Point Bridge

[stjr]

we have the modern version of that...its caled the Dames Point Bridge

The Fuller Warren should have been just as notable being on I-95 and as part of the Downtown "skyline".

[mtraininjax]

WTF? When they built I-95 in the 50s, why did they have it curve all the way around the city through the poorer neighborhoods, just to save the downtown core? Isn't the shortest distance between 2 points a straight line, if we want to cute here?

[Ocklawaha]

we have the modern version of that...its caled the Dames Point Bridge

The Fuller Warren should have been just as notable being on I-95 and as part of the Downtown "skyline".

The old one was green if memory serves me right, I want to know where the hell our neon is? Can you imagine a neon art project for that bridge? Notable, hell's bells, that sucker would be FAMOUS!

The new one is "anemic poop gray...." Oh my...

OCKLAWAHA

[tufsu1]

we have the modern version of that...its caled the Dames Point Bridge

The Fuller Warren should have been just as notable being on I-95 and as part of the Downtown "skyline".

I don't disagree, but keep in mind that the Golden Gate Bridge isn't in downtown SF either....that would be the Oakland Bay Bridge.

[reednavy]

However, the FW is only about 3/4 mile long, not around a mile. I wonder if the could construct a beatiful arch from end to end, like the Gateway Bridge in Nashville.

[Ocklawaha]

A short suspension bridge can still be a signature monument, this one is the gateway to El Poblado (the PVB of Medellin). I think its way too late to do this even as a decor, lighting could still give us some WOW without the expense of building need structures.

OCKLAWAHA

[stjr]

we have the modern version of that...its caled the Dames Point Bridge

The Fuller Warren should have been just as notable being on I-95 and as part of the Downtown "skyline".

I don't disagree, but keep in mind that the Golden Gate Bridge isn't in downtown SF either....that would be the Oakland Bay Bridge.

Tufsu, I think most would consider the Golden Gate to be within the Downtown/urban sphere of SF, even if removed from the high rises.  Most importantly, how many "downtown" shots of SF are "framed" by the view over the bridge or with it in the background?  Likely billions.

A world class design for the Fuller Warren could have done much the same for Jax.  Instead, it's more likely a candidate for a Photo Shop outcrop.  Tourists driving over it could hardly know they are even going over a bridge, it's so blah.  And, traveling northbound or in the inner lanes southbound, one has no view of the great western and upstream expanse of the river and its spectacular sunsets.  So much for introducing a few hundred thousand visitors a month to our greatest natural asset (How much would the COJ, Tourist Bureau, and Chamber pay for that exposure elsewhere?).

By the way, FDOT should re-sign the San Marco Blvd. exit with the addition of "Downtown-Southbank" and MOSH, especially if we are rebuilding San Marco Blvd.  Maybe a few tourists (and locals) would be induced to spontaneously take the exit and explore the area.

[reednavy]

At the same time though, you have an unobstructed view from the bridge as is right now, so it isn't a total loss.