Do You Care About The Future Of Transit In Jax?

[Metro Jacksonville]

Do You Care About The Future Of Transit In Jax?



Due to the lack of public engagement in our community over the last few months, the future of transit investment may be dramatically altered for the worse. Metro Jacksonville has become a popular place for ideas and quality conversation on improving mass transit throughout North Florida. However, we're failing to advance these ideas into reality because of a lack of involvement where it really counts. Tomorrow is the deadline for your comments and suggestions involving the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization's 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan. If you care about what type of transportation investments are destined for your neighborhood's future, this is your opportunity to have your ideas, thoughts, concerns and suggestions included in the planning process.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-jun-do-you-care-about-the-future-of-transit-in-jax

[fieldafm]

This is an interesting article.

I think I'm more informed than the average Jaxson about transportation in the city, however I feel totally blindsided by some of these decisions.
It seems as though some of these projects (that anyone with even a below-average understanding of cost-benefit analysis could tell are losers) replaced other much more viable projects, intentionally to steer future money away from city-building and neighborhood enhancing projects in favor of more road-buidling on the peripheral edges of the county/region.

I'd encourage everyone reading to write in and give their thoughts.

My suggestions:
-Scrap the Five Points Skyway extension (that would fail virtually all viable testing methods, the streetcar utilizing a similar route would not)
-Bring back the Riverside Streetcar (a project in the Mobility Plan that was reflective of community input)
-For that matter, bring back the entire streetcar network included in the 2030 Mobility Plan and 2035 LRTP Cost Feasible Plan.
-Bring back the S-line rail line (a project in the Mobility Plan that was reflective of community input, and a project that has proven nationwide to spur major redevelopment opportunities that more than make up for the cost of building the system)
-Bring back the Springfield streetcar project (a project in the Mobility Plan that was reflective of community input), and scrap the Skyway expansion into Springfield (presumably inserted as the streetcar would pass viability tests, and the Skyway would not... thereby shifting money to more beltway projects)
-Scrap the San Marco streetcar expansion, in favor of a Skyway expansion (at grade) to the FEC crossing thereby connecting San Marco Square with downtown (and potentially Riverside).
-Scrap the Fairfax/Avondale streetcar plan (something that neighboring residents would stop at all costs... thereby shifting money to more beltway projects).

[Tacachale]

Thanks. What is Metro Jacksonville's take on the changes?

[Bridges]

I went to the "meeting/presentation" in Springfield two weeks ago.  There was absolutely no one from the community there for at least the 30 minutes I was there.  Literally it was just me for most of the time (the input meeting had the unfortunate timing as being at the same time as a community meeting on Ability Housing).  I don't know much about the projects, but NFTPO had a nice layout and voting system setup. 

I was absolutely shocked about the lack of pedestrian and bike transportation projects.  These were lumped together with some streetcar level plans too.  I had to ask for clarification that this was the plan for 2040.  It didn't even look like a great ped/bike plan for 2015.  It showed absolutely zero thought for a future in that direction.

I voted with 7 chips for more ped/bike plans, and the other 3 for mass transit/rail/streetcar.

I wish I could contribute more constructive ideas other than just saying "more ped/bike/streetcar projects"

[thelakelander]

And these have to be in by the end of Tomorrow?

Yes.

[Tacachale]

From their website it looks like there are extensive bike/ped projects, but it's hard to tell what they are since the maps are so hard to see. I don't know how they compare to the Mobility Plan.

From what I can see and know a little bit about, here are my thoughts:

*I'm with Mike (and presumably others) that a 5 Points Skyway stop is unfeasible. Streetcar, please
*Especially given that, the Riverside streetcar format should be brought more in line with the Mobility Plan.
*I support the Skyway extentions to Atlantic Boulevard and the Stadium District. Forest Street could probably be incorporated to the Streetcar plan.
*Similarly, the Springfield Skyway extension would be great, but could probably be just as well as a cheaper streetcar project (which was, of course, in the Mobility Plan).
*Are they really saying there will be streetcar in San Marco in addition to the Skyway extension? Why?
*I would prefer to see the S-line rail project kept, given that it was created through community input, whereas the justification for the change is unclear.

[thelakelander]

Justification for change is probably the anticipated cost of rebuilding track in the S-Line, which includes going through the middle of JTA's bus operations yard. Instead of using the S-Line, you could utilize an existing line that runs north of Gateway Mall to head north.  The downfall is that you miss out on the urban core population centers and destinations such as UF Health.  One option not shown could be something that Ock has mentioned quite a few times.  Perhaps, the S-Line should be a part of a LRT line and completely separate from commuter rail?

[thelakelander]

I'd have to look at a specific idea or concept and then email that thought or suggestion.  We should probably have Ock share his old ideas or look them up for further detail.

[jaxlore]

The lack of bicycle infrastructure is ridiculous. how can they talk about bike share on one hand yet we still have the third most dangerous streets in the country for bike and pedestrians?

[thelakelander]

Where do you believe bike/ped is needed? How do you believe it should be addressed?

[IrvAdams]

I read the article and sent a directed reply with my suggestions. I am no professional but, reading this feedback, it looks like I was pretty close. It's so hard to say what will be the best, but I suggested stuff I thought would be effective.

Having read these responses, I think I'm going to add some more suggestions. It's one way to feel involved.

[Debbie Thompson]

Stephen, I don't know how I missed the "presentation" two weeks ago in Springfield.  Either I didn't hear about it, or didn't know what it was.  Since apparently no one else in Springfield was there either, I have to believe we didn't hear about it.  How are these things communicated?

Meanwhile, reading the article and preparing input.  :-)

[thelakelander]

Thanks. What is Metro Jacksonville's take on the changes?

At this point, there is no official Metro Jacksonville take. Nevertheless, I can share my opinion at this point. Personally, I'm highly concerned that several of the "replacement" transit ideas won't pass the technical sniff test and that they end up not making the Cost Feasible Plan. For example, how do you get the Skyway under I-95 and to Five Points?  If the streetcar already in the COJ Mobility Plan and 2035 LRTP's Cost Feasible Plan is at least three times cheaper to implement and integrates into the context much better, why change to something riskier? Especially without public input? 

Same goes for extending the Skyway to UF Health. Great idea in 1975 when the original Skyway planning process was underway.  Since BRT is a go down Jefferson/Broad with a stop at UF Health, extending the Skyway parallel a block or two away doesn't really achieve much.  We'd just have too systems that will compete for limited ridership at the cost of millions more to the taxpayer. Such a path would also not deliver the needed economic benefits to Main and 8th Streets....the two Springfield streets where mixed-use infill is most desired and feasible.

Nevertheless, I'm fine with what's shown being in the Needs Plan. However, I've requested that the Mobility Plan and 2035 LRTP's Cost Feasible Plan transit, bike and ped projects be added to the 2040 Needs Plan as well.  This way, they all have the opportunity to be studied in greater detail for inclusion into the official 2040 Cost Feasible Plan.

IMO, the worst scenario would be taking out things that made the previous plan (and that the land use component of our comp plan was modified for to allow for TOD along those specific corridors), substituting them with risky expensive alternatives that end up being too unreasonable to make the final plan's list.

[thelakelander]

Stephen, I don't know how I missed the "presentation" two weeks ago in Springfield.  Either I didn't hear about it, or didn't know what it was.  Since apparently no one else in Springfield was there either, I have to believe we didn't hear about it.  How are these things communicated?

Meanwhile, reading the article and preparing input.  :-)

They've been advertised in various media outlets around town.  In fact, we've run some banner ads and articles promoting the meetings and planning process. However, from the response at April's meeting, we may be better off with shock and awe headlines to encourage more participation.



Public Meetings on 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-apr-public-meetings-on-2040-long-range-transportation-plan-#.U4y3Y_mwJkA

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=21289.0

Long Range Transportation Plan Meeting in Springfield this Thursday
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=21520.0

Path Forward 2040: Investing In Our Future
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-oct-path-forward-2040-investing-in-our-future#.U4y4DfmwJkA

Choose Your Path: The Best Transportation Investments?
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-dec-choose-your-path-the-best-transportation-investments#.U4y4PvmwJkA

[thelakelander]

. However, I've requested that the Mobility Plan and 2035 LRTP's Cost Feasible Plan transit, bike and ped projects be added to the 2040 Needs Plan as well.  This way, they all have the opportunity to be studied in greater detail for inclusion into the official 2040 Cost Feasible Plan.

Would this be one takeaway that everyone could help include in their comments and emails?

That would be one takeaway. Yet, I prefer that people don't just take my word for it because I don't have all the answers. If there are ideas for improving transit in Jax out there, suggest them. If you like what you see in the 2035 Cost Feasible Plan or 2040 Needs Plan, tell the TPO so.  If you think something worth considering has been left out, please point these things or ideas out because whatever doesn't end up in the Needs Plan by tomorrow will not be considered for inclusion into the official plan.  If it's not in that official plan, you can forget about public dollars going to it anytime soon.