I-295 Express Lanes: Get Ready To Open Your Pocketbooks

[Metro Jacksonville]

I-295 Express Lanes: Get Ready To Open Your Pocketbooks



Get ready to open your pocket books to bypass congestion in Jacksonville. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is moving forward on their plans to add automated toll lanes to I-295 throughout the Southside. An informal open house will be held this evening for those interested in learning how FDOT plans to deal with 21st century gridlock. In the meantime, here's a look at what's coming to Jacksonville later this year.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-jan-i-295-express-lanes-get-ready-to-open-your-pocketbooks

[carpnter]

If they are going to put them in, they are needed more between Dames Point and Beach Blvd than JTB and 9B.

[tufsu1]

^ With the opening of 9B, there has been increased traffic on 295 south of JTB.  Since this will be the first section widened, it will get managed lanes.  But don't worry, I'm sure the section to the north won't be far behind.

As to the managed lanes concept as a whole, I am somewhat skeptical.  One of the few corridors in the country where they are working successfully is on I-95 in Miami.  In fact, that one is working so well that FDOT is requesting they be allowed to raise the max. price from the current $0.50/mile to $1.00/mile. 

I was down there last week and the cost to travel the 10 miles around 9am was $4.50....and it appeared that cost would allow the driver to save about 10 minutes.  I think drivers in Miami have become de-sensitized to the cost since most just have the cost automatically debit from one of their credit card accounts.

Would anyone here be willing to pay $4.50 to shave 10 minutes off their trip? 

[urbanlibertarian]

When tolls work well it means the people/businesses who use something are the ones paying for it.  That's a good thing.  Tolls are better than gas taxes in that respect.

[thelakelander]

I think you need them both. Combined, they still don't cover the cost of building and maintaining roads.

[chipwich]

There doesn't seem to be enough traffic on any stretch of I-295 in Jacksonville to really justify these lanes.  I could see them working on lets say I-4 in Orlando, I-95 in Miami or the 285 in Atlanta- where you can literally get stuck for hours in sea of cars.  But to pay extra to go from 35-40 mph on I-295 to be able to 65 mph just seems wasteful. 

If we need another lane, DOT should just add it free of charge.  We pay taxes and that should help to cover it.  Better yet, put a special tax semi-truck operators who use and wear down the highways more than anyone else.

[coredumped]

What happened to the extra 1% (or whatever) sales tax Duval voted for in lieu of tolls? Or don't these count as tolls? This is more of "first class" for drivers...

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

Let those who use the express lanes pay for them.

If you don't want to pay extra, then stay in the regular lanes.

[Dapperdan]

Think about this for a moment. Unless these lanes have direct access to exits, how does one get over to an exit? Also, since these don't cover all of 2-95, won't there be choke points where it merges back into normal traffic? I really see no benefit here.
Now, if they built express lanes over the Buckman, and completed the loop, and they have direct access to exits, then maybe.

[thelakelander]

Most likely, you won't be able to get off on any exits between the Buckman Bridge and I-95 or between SR 9B and JTB if using them.  I've used express and HOV lanes in several cities during frequent road trips.  These types of lanes are best for longer commuting purposes.

[tufsu1]

^ correct...in the case of the first one being built in Jax, the eastbound express lane will end shortly after the St. Augustine Road interchange so people can move over in time to exit at I-95

[copperfiend]

^ correct...in the case of the first one being built in Jax, the eastbound express lane will end shortly after the St. Augustine Road interchange so people can move over in time to exit at I-95

Welcome to Jacksonville: Where your lane ends.

I have never been in a city with more merging lanes on Interstate highways. I can see the guy in the Express Lane having to go across four lanes of traffic at 70 MPH in less than a mile to right exit onto 95 Northbound. Nothing bad can happen there.

[thelakelander]

Eventually, there will be a need to stop the weaving, so we'll spend another $200 million building a flyover to I-95 north for express lane traffic (I'm just being playfully sarcastic for those who may not get it).

[coredumped]

Let those who use the express lanes pay for them.

If you don't want to pay extra, then stay in the regular lanes.

Oh sweet, so if I don't want to use them I don't have to pay for them? They're 100% self-sufficient?

A better use of this money would be a paved bike trail alongside 295.

[copperfiend]

Eventually, there will be a need to stop the weaving, so we'll spend another $200 million building a flyover to I-95 north for express lane traffic (I'm just being playfully sarcastic for those who may not get it).

You joke now but lets see in a few years...