Bringing Amtrak to Downtown Jacksonville Inexpensively

[Metro Jacksonville]

Bringing Amtrak to Downtown Jacksonville Inexpensively



Metro Jacksonville explores an affordable way to accelerate the relocation of Amtrak to downtown.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-jul-bringing-amtrak-to-downtown-jacksonville-inexpensively

[Jaxson]

The temporary station concept is a great idea. 

[tufsu1]

just one question.....do Federal guidelines allow passengers to cross over active rail tracks at stations (remember there are no crossing gates)....if the tunnels can not be used, this is a key issue for the relationship of commuter rail w/ Amtrak.

when I was in San Diego last year, I crossed over the light rail tracks at their station with no problem....and crossing the commuter rail tracks to get over to Amtrak was also somewhat easy (although people are channeled to specific crossing areas)....but that is the end of the line for the intercity trains, so there are no trains coming from the south

[Jaxson]

To my best recollection, we are allowed to cross over the tracks at the designated crossing.  This is how we board trains at the current Amshack... 

[Doctor_K]

The temporary station concept is a potentially affordable way to advance the relocation of Amtrak back to downtown.  The advancement of such a project would put Jacksonville and downtown in position to immediately economically benefit from ongoing efforts to establish passenger rail service between Jacksonville and Miami.

Too much common sense for the powers-that-be? Or is this option a viable one for whomever's in charge of this? Are we doomed to an expensive, crappy, over-done monster?

[Ocklawaha]

In this plan there is NO need for passengers to cross a live track, EVER.  The driveways you see on the East and West are for baggage, fuel and other service vehicles.

OCKLAWAHA

[Jaxson]

In this plan there is NO need for passengers to cross a live track, EVER.  The driveways you see on the East and West are for baggage, fuel and other service vehicles.

OCKLAWAHA

I agree.

[Bike Jax]

Why is this only a temporary solution? Sounds like it should be the plan from outset. Take the money saved and put it towards equipment and infrastructure of other stations and get this running.

[ac]

The temporary fix won't meet with approval unless you find a way to build it with tons and tons of unnecessary Gate concrete.

[fsujax]

I see the plans for platforms, but what about the necessary track improvements to accomodate freight and passenger trains. What is the plan for that? Where will the Amtrak trains be split and serviced? What needs to happen with the track configuration coming from the north and SW? Does anything need to be improved? what would the cost for that be?

[ChriswUfGator]

The temporary fix won't meet with approval unless you find a way to build it with tons and tons of unnecessary Gate concrete.

LMAO

So true.

[brainstormer]

I think this plan should be implemented as soon as possible because it makes a statement that we are serious about rail in Jacksonville.  It also puts us into a much better position when it comes to asking for federal grants and other funding.  Having Amtrak downtown will improve ridership and make Amtrak more visible.  This seems like a logical first step and will help planners visualize the possibilities for the future of mass transit downtown.   Good work guys!

[Mattius92]

I think this plan should be implemented as soon as possible because it makes a statement that we are serious about rail in Jacksonville.  It also puts us into a much better position when it comes to asking for federal grants and other funding.  Having Amtrak downtown will improve ridership and make Amtrak more visible.  This seems like a logical first step and will help planners visual the possibilities for the future of mass transit downtown.   Good work guys!

Right on!

[Jaxson]

I think this plan should be implemented as soon as possible because it makes a statement that we are serious about rail in Jacksonville.  It also puts us into a much better position when it comes to asking for federal grants and other funding.  Having Amtrak downtown will improve ridership and make Amtrak more visible.  This seems like a logical first step and will help planners visualize the possibilities for the future of mass transit downtown.   Good work guys!

I co-sign your comment, brainstormer!  For the life of me, I cannot understand why our city continues to drag its feet on this matter.  Cities like Wilmington DE are doing great things with their Amtrak station and our city leaders seem not to give a damn.

[fsujax]

because most of our city leaders dont give a damn!