The End of State Road 9A

[CRAIG B]

I am happy to see the end nearing or should I say the beginning of less headaches in morning travel. As for the 9B extension I can't disagree with Jason more. I am ready to choke or bribe anyone to finish the plans for 9B earlier than stated. I live off of Racetrack Rd and can't wait to make shorter trips with less traffic.
However I would be even happier if they put an onramp and offramp for Racetrack off of I-95 directly. I realize that we are St Johns county but we used to be Jacksonville until last year. There are so many homes being developed in the area, far more than areas of Jacksonville that have direct access to I-95 now. We will become a complete disaster like the town of Orange Park created if we don't do something soon to alleviate traffic into and out of Julinton Creek. CR-210 is not an option as it is a morning parking grid also.[/b]  :'/

[thelakelander]

CR 210 is a disaster during rush hour.  At some point, if no alternative (ex. a direct interchange with I-95 at Race Track Road) is provided, a flyover or two will be needed.

[Steve]

I am happy to see the end nearing or should I say the beginning of less headaches in morning travel. As for the 9B extension I can't disagree with Jason more. I am ready to choke or bribe anyone to finish the plans for 9B earlier than stated. I live off of Racetrack Rd and can't wait to make shorter trips with less traffic.
However I would be even happier if they put an onramp and offramp for Racetrack off of I-95 directly. I realize that we are St Johns county but we used to be Jacksonville until last year. There are so many homes being developed in the area, far more than areas of Jacksonville that have direct access to I-95 now. We will become a complete disaster like the town of Orange Park created if we don't do something soon to alleviate traffic into and out of Julinton Creek. CR-210 is not an option as it is a morning parking grid also.[/b]  :'/

While I think it will be built, don't think that this will actually help traffic for more than about 5-6 years.  We seem to not understand the concept that when you build a freeway through undeveloped land (which much of 9B is undeveloped still), it drives development (just like a rail line does).

For example, remember 8 years ago when no one was on 9A south of baymeadows?  How times have changed.

[stephenc]

They finally started construction on a new exit at Collins Rd and I-295. From what I read off of jta web site there will be a service road connecting Blanding and Collins. That should ease Blanding some, at least from the Argyle and Oakleaf traffic.

We will become a complete disaster like the town of Orange Park created if we don't do something soon to alleviate traffic into and out of Julinton Creek.[/b]  :'/

[Jason]

I am happy to see the end nearing or should I say the beginning of less headaches in morning travel. As for the 9B extension I can't disagree with Jason more. I am ready to choke or bribe anyone to finish the plans for 9B earlier than stated. I live off of Racetrack Rd and can't wait to make shorter trips with less traffic.
However I would be even happier if they put an onramp and offramp for Racetrack off of I-95 directly. I realize that we are St Johns county but we used to be Jacksonville until last year. There are so many homes being developed in the area, far more than areas of Jacksonville that have direct access to I-95 now. We will become a complete disaster like the town of Orange Park created if we don't do something soon to alleviate traffic into and out of Julinton Creek. CR-210 is not an option as it is a morning parking grid also.[/b]  :'/

IMO, the problem can be solved by building an interchange with I95 versus building a new highway.  The eastern portion of the 9B route does nothing but open up more land for development in an already sprawling area.  Also is doesn't connect any destinations.  An interchange at I95 opens the flood gates for Racetrack Road and becomes a connection node to the rest of the region.


BTW, welcome to MetroJacksonville!

[CRAIG B]

Now your talking Jason:

[DetroitInJAX]

Jacksonville does have a problem naming freeways though.. I think we're on the right track with calling 295 "The Beltway" though.

And I agree with all of you that say JTB shouldnt be a boulevard.  Its not a freakin' boulevard.. its a limited access FREEWAY!

Jacksonville needs to start naming things after famous Jacksonvillians or something..

Detroit, for example, has:

Edsel Ford Freeway (I94)
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway (I75)
Walter Reuther Freeway (I696)
Jeffries Freeway (I96)
John C Lodge (or Lodge Freeway) (M-10)


We could name I95 in the county the Haydon Burns Freeway (cause he was so instrumental in blowing things up for it)
Hart Bridge Expressway could be the Duval Greenway or something

Just please rename it the J. Turner Butler Freeway and standardize all the signage!

and yes, I also agree with taking down the mileage measurements.. It must be so confusing to out-of-state travelers that come through and pass "ENTERING DUVAL COUNTY -- JACKSONVILLE CITY LIMIT" and then 3 miles later see "JACKSONVILLE     12"   .... Youre already there!  Change the damn signs to say "DOWNTOWN".

[reednavy]

They seriously need to rename sections to actually make them easier to identify. Very few cities here in the SE have actual designated sections, such as Atlanta, Nashville, Tampa, and Charlotte. Now Miami has, to a degree, as well as Orlando, only due to toll ways. Houston has pretty much got it down, and so has Dallas, and Birmingham as well. hell, just name some after sections of town there in. JTB could be named something like Butler-Ocean Freeway, or something, you have to give the guy credit afterall. Now the HBE, it should be something like River City Greenway, that sounds very appealing., or may be Jaguars Freeway, something that really sounds Jacksonville. The section of I-95 from the I-10 junction, down to 295 could be Palmetto Freeway, north of I-10 it can be First Coast Freeway, I-10 can be Gateway Freeway or Duval Freeway. Don't worry about the Mathews Bridge, its years are number anyways. Heck, name JTB Butler-First Coast Freeway or the Butler-Beachline Freeway. Something needs to be done, its soemwhat confusing to people, especially to first timers.

[JaxNole]

We could strip most roads of their current names and revert to a form of a numbered grid system if we are concerned with alleviating confusion for motorists.  A subsystem would have to be devised for roads that meander and do not seemingly travel in a predominantly east-west or north-south fashion.  This would eliminate names that reflect the area and, in my opinion, be another step towards a bland Jacksonville lacking identity.  I'm more in favor of adopting more prominent, yet not obtrusive, signage.

[Jason]

I honestly think that the majority of Jacksonville is fairly easy to navigate and the naming convention makes sence (with the exception of a few roads).  Because of the river, ocean, and intracoastal landmarks and the fact that our city is a t-junction for the two longest highways in the country makes it pretty hard to get lost once you becom familiar with the 4 or 5 major roadways.

[CRAIG B]

does anyone know why they didn't make it 3 lanes like beltway west?

[stephenc]

does anyone know why they didn't make it 3 lanes like beltway west?

Because they're cheap ass morons. they'll wait till traffic is unbearable then add a lane.

[Steve]

The west beltway is not three lanes for the length; just to I-10.

However, one thing they did was smart - look how wide the medians are.  While this doesn't help with the cost of concrete, they won't have to buy land to expand the road.

[Driven1]

haha, ain't that the truth stephenc!!!  you got it right!!

[Beloki]

Mabe thay can use the median for rail ?