FDOT proposes new University Blvd. bridge

[thelakelander]

Sidewalks and bike lanes are on their way!

Arlington drivers can look for a new bridge to cross. The Florida Department of Transportation proposes an estimated $20.6 million replacement of the University Boulevard bridge, which spans the Arlington River from Cesery Boulevard to Clifton Avenue. Department spokesman Mike Goldman said Monday the department would build a temporary bridge next to the span during the construction, which could start in 2014 and take an estimated 2 1/2 years.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536765

[cline]

Glad to see they are putting bike lanes and sidewalks on it.  The current bridge is very narrow.

It seems odd to me that specific structural deficiencies on bridges cannot be disclosed per Florida Statutes.  All they can tell you is that it is structurally deficient but they can't say the ways that it is deficient.  Weird.

[KenFSU]

It seems odd to me that specific structural deficiencies on bridges cannot be disclosed per Florida Statutes.  All they can tell you is that it is structurally deficient but they can't say the ways that it is deficient.  Weird.

I believe this is a post 9/11 security measure.

[carpnter]

Structurally deficient could also mean quite a few things that have absolutely nothing to do with the structural integrity of the bridge, but more with the design and current needs.

[tufsu1]

actually, no....FDOT uses a rating system to determine how well a bridge is holding up...structurally deficient is all about the wear and tear (cracks, worn concrete, etc,) of a bridge.

[BackinJax05]

Its about time.

Now if the FDOT or JTA would build the much needed overpass at Atlantic & University Blvds, all would be well with the world.

[acme54321]

Its about time.

Now if the FDOT or JTA would build the much needed overpass at Atlantic & University Blvds, all would be well with the world.

An overpass at Atlantic and University?

[thelakelander]

What's the taxpayer's return of investment for spending +$60 million on an isolated overpass which will still have drivers coming to a screeching halt at the next stop light a few blocks to the south?  If we can dig up $60 million for public investment, there are hundreds of things that Jacksonville will be better off investing in.

[Ocklawaha]

Agreed Lake. The 'shame' if one can call it that is that the city didn't take the Emerson Street expressway on through to I-95 and north to the Arlington expressway back in the 50's when the whole system was laid out. Had they done so, much of the traffic on University would be using a short 4 lane connector. To me this goes in the same book as the Hart Expressway which drops off on Beach, stupidly, just a mile or so shy of the Southside Boulevard expressway. Like the Skyway of today, the old Expressway authority did not understand the need to connect it's dots for a more fluid traffic flow.

As for the bridge, I don't recall where but in some of my transportation magazines I did see a breakdown of our area bridges. Had our readers seen what I read, NOBODY would be driving over that bridge or the overland bridge. Those two bridges made the Matthews look good.

OCKLAWAHA

[tufsu1]

Its about time.

Now if the FDOT or JTA would build the much needed overpass at Atlantic & University Blvds, all would be well with the world.

sory, but it is hardly much needed...especially not as businesses have closed and traffic has decreased in the area over the last five years

[BackinJax05]

Its about time.

Now if the FDOT or JTA would build the much needed overpass at Atlantic & University Blvds, all would be well with the world.

An overpass at Atlantic and University?

Yes, an overpass at Atlantic & University 

[BackinJax05]

Its about time.

Now if the FDOT or JTA would build the much needed overpass at Atlantic & University Blvds, all would be well with the world.

sory, but it is hardly much needed...especially not as businesses have closed and traffic has decreased in the area over the last five years

I take it you havent been through there recently, especially around 7AM, 3PM, or 5PM weekdays.

[tufsu1]

so you're proposing that we spend millions "fixing" a problem that exists for maybe an hour total each day?

btw, here are the daily traffic counts approaching that intersection from 2005 (before gas prices went up and the recession kicked in) and 2011.

Southside (north of Atlantic)
2005 = 44,500
2011 = 34,500

Southside (south of Atlantic)
2005 = 51,000
2011 = 35,000

Atlantic (west of Southside)
2005 = 40,000
2011 = 33,000

Atlantic (east of Southside)
2005 = 38,000
2011 = 29,000

As to your comments about being through there recently....perhaps what you're experiencing are delays associated with the resurfacing of Southside.

Bottom line...I'll stick by my statement that the overpass is hardly needed.

[acme54321]

The Matthews bridge closure has also been having a big effect on that intersections when the bridge is shut down.  Hardly a permanent issue though.

[carpnter]

so you're proposing that we spend millions "fixing" a problem that exists for maybe an hour total each day?

btw, here are the daily traffic counts approaching that intersection from 2005 (before gas prices went up and the recession kicked in) and 2011.

Southside (north of Atlantic)
2005 = 44,500
2011 = 34,500

Southside (south of Atlantic)
2005 = 51,000
2011 = 35,000

Atlantic (west of Southside)
2005 = 40,000
2011 = 33,000

Atlantic (east of Southside)
2005 = 38,000
2011 = 29,000

As to your comments about being through there recently....perhaps what you're experiencing are delays associated with the resurfacing of Southside.

Bottom line...I'll stick by my statement that the overpass is hardly needed.

I think pedestrians and cyclists would disagree with your assessment.  That bridge is very narrow and right now neither bridge has a safe walking area for a pedestrian to cross the river.