A Jacksonville-to-Tampa Expressway On Its Way?

[spuwho]

Interesting read. Deseret only gave AAF a hard time becuase no one had discussed ANY planning with them at the beginning.  Based on their posture it appeared they wanted to develop their land where it made sense to do so. (Closer to Osceola Parkway) It seemed tbey were perfectly happy raising cattle on their land.

The US is littered with roads to nowhere because something with influence convinced a decision maker to make it happen when it made no sense.

Chickasaw Turnpike in southern OK comes to mind.

$37 Million can pay for alot if things and it is clear this was a political favor to someone who supported Scott. But road "planning" is a long way from actual construction.

[thelakelander]

^He asked if anyone could make a link between these influential landowners and the decision makers. All I provided was one example of a link. I'm sure if I or anyone else took additional time, we'd find a lot more. Heck, I think it would be a harder time proving that major projects like the First Coast Expressway and Wekiva Parkway, etc. aren't politically influenced.

[southsider1015]

^He asked if anyone could make a link between these influential landowners and the decision makers. All I provided was one example of a link. I'm sure if I or anyone else took additional time, we'd find a lot more. Heck, I think it would be a harder time proving that major projects like the First Coast Expressway and Wekiva Parkway, etc. aren't politically influenced.

Do you really think Ringhaver (RingPower) wants this road?  Sure, he'll make some money on the construction equipment.   Reinhold Corp?  Gustafasons?   

For it would likely be Silverleaf (Whites Ford Timber) and maybe St Joe (Rivertown).  But that's adjacent to I95.

What's the connection with FCE?

[tufsu1]

The main reason the study area for the Tampa-Jax corridor is so wide at the north end is Plum Creek...and the ONLY reason why the Heartland Parkway is being considered is because of the influence of a few major landowners.

Now maybe this is good planning and foresight....or as southside noted earlier, perhaps its the chicken and egg thing....I just question who is the chicken.

[Coolyfett]

Bad idea...I dont like it.

[Know Growth]

If further traction and continued forward project movement,at some point,the window of opportunity for the legally binding "No Build" option will appear.

Often missed Exit.

[brucef58]

We are currently building an outer beltway from I-95 south of WGV to I-95 at the current Yulee exit.  The closest approach between this beltway and I-75 would be just to the north of the Blanding Interchange.  This could be a good starting point for a limited access highway from Jacksonville to Tampa. 

It is likely the Outer Beltway could be designated as I-895.  The best way connect Jacksonville to Tampa is to use this Outer Beltway, I-10 and I-75 in conjunction with a new spur.  This spur could be designated as either I-795 or I-895 and run form Jacksonville's Outer beltway with the intercept at point a couple of miles northwest of the Blanding Boulevard Interchange to I-75 with an intercept at a point between the cities of Alachua and Gainesville. 

It would be likely that I-75 would need to be widened to 8 lanes (4 each way) from the intercept point to I-275 in Tampa.  All the needed construction and improvements would be a part of the interstate system and should be eligible for federal funding of between 75% and 90% of the project cost.  Such a project could cut 30 minutes off of travel times from Jacksonville to Gainesville, Ocala and Tampa.  This would also allow for new industries in central Florida along the I-75 corridor to have better access to the ports at Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach.

[thelakelander]

It's not a given that a north leg of the First Coast Expressway will be built between I-10 and I-95. It's still a dream by some at this point.

[copperfiend]

Ironic that at the end of Back to the Future when Doc said "Roads? Where we're going, we won't need any roads" he was talking about the year 2015.

[southsider1015]

We are currently building an outer beltway from I-95 south of WGV to I-95 at the current Yulee exit.  The closest approach between this beltway and I-75 would be just to the north of the Blanding Interchange.  This could be a good starting point for a limited access highway from Jacksonville to Tampa. 

It is likely the Outer Beltway could be designated as I-895.  The best way connect Jacksonville to Tampa is to use this Outer Beltway, I-10 and I-75 in conjunction with a new spur.  This spur could be designated as either I-795 or I-895 and run form Jacksonville's Outer beltway with the intercept at point a couple of miles northwest of the Blanding Boulevard Interchange to I-75 with an intercept at a point between the cities of Alachua and Gainesville. 

It would be likely that I-75 would need to be widened to 8 lanes (4 each way) from the intercept point to I-275 in Tampa.  All the needed construction and improvements would be a part of the interstate system and should be eligible for federal funding of between 75% and 90% of the project cost.  Such a project could cut 30 minutes off of travel times from Jacksonville to Gainesville, Ocala and Tampa.  This would also allow for new industries in central Florida along the I-75 corridor to have better access to the ports at Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach.

FCE will start from I-95, north of the IGP interchange (not south), and will connect to I-10 at the Cecil Commerce Center (Branan-Field Chaffee Road).

http://firstcoastexpressway.com/

The project is be funded by the State of Florida and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, and not directly by federal funds.  There are no publicly announced plans to designate the corridor as interstate.  If there were federal funds were to be used, there would likely be a need for a state match.

I appreciate that you're thinking/discussing options about how to connect, but your post was a bit inaccurate.

[tufsu1]

Ironic that at the end of Back to the Future when Doc said "Roads? Where we're going, we won't need any roads" he was talking about the year 2015.

+1000

[Ocklawaha]

Chickasaw Turnpike in southern OK comes to mind.

Maybe so, but the Chickasaw actually serves some purposes:
The former freight rail line Eastern Oklahoma Railroad/Santa Fe was pulled up.
Ada on the east was the junction and is the capital of the Chickasaw Nation
The turnpike itself is short, and much of it just 2 lanes wide, but it cuts off many miles from the older route.
It ties Ada to the Sulphur National Recreation Area, formerly Chickasaw National Park, where many work.
It also ties Ada to the park and it's recreational City of Davis, which is where the Amtrak train stops, Turner Falls, Falls Creek, Travertine Creek and the Arbuckle Mountains are located. In our area it would be like paralleling Blanding with a two lane limited access, high speed 70/75 mph toll road that angled over to Starke cutting the distance to Gainesville. Not a heck of a lot in the middle, but a decent cluster on each end.

[Know Growth]

LMAO at all the comments.  So typical of MJ.  Anyone actually read the report? 

If many of you were the decision makers, Florida would be untouched land.  Nothing but 2 lane rural roads everywhere.

......and some decades after Governor Martinez era "Jax -Tampa" attempt- a dandy "Conservation Corridor",huge swaths of Rural Lifestyle and suprisingly dynamic,profitable associated development and demand,Timberlands,Agriculture,Recreation,Water Supply,Air Quality and Associated Credits.

[Know Growth]

^He asked if anyone could make a link between these influential landowners and the decision makers. All I provided was one example of a link. I'm sure if I or anyone else took additional time, we'd find a lot more. Heck, I think it would be a harder time proving that major projects like the First Coast Expressway and Wekiva Parkway, etc. aren't politically influenced.

Are you kidding?

Recall I have provided Official Record Book/Page connection to key First Coast events. Even Calvin Burney trip up;the erroneous image of Brannon Chaffe as viable Blanding alleviation; a certain n umber of vehicles (in the tens of thousands) that would utilize the new BC facility "as soon as it opens",actually referring to ADT over a period of time,as a result of the development the new facility would spur-you know,the misquote the Times Union backed away from. Of course,that was some time ago,and even now,no doubt so many go numb.
An internet forum is obviously lacking in altering outcome of some things. Probably a good thing.

Lake you now have a Seat,exactly and perfectly timed to First Coast Beltway Outcome No Matter. That was easy!

The North half of Section 19- the Northerly leg.
Reinhold Corp. Lake Asbury Sector Plan 1 & 2 (1 curiously deemed unauthorized).
Planners & Consultants- see connections between Brannon Chaffe Sector Plan & Lake Asbury Sector Plan ("1" & 2). For starters.
And why would development not be a key driver,even though politically,the Beltway was born via "Stand Alone" Brannon Chaffee so successfully sold to as viable "alternative" to Blanding to then current roadway users?
The Clay development driver even a factor in the placement of a DOT Director. Hard name to spell.


It's rather hilarious to see this discourse here. Probably worth higher profile effort.

I must concede to the Beltway Boosters - in fact the Outer Outer Beltway will in fact contribute to regional network alleviation- circumventing traffic load out of core Duval. No wonder I witnessed Blue hairs in Avondale touting the FC Beltway- investments notwithstanding.

The facility will enable white flight.

The Re-Routing of First Coast in deference to State Conservation Lands/Ravines Conservation Area was a historical shift for the FDOT,WMD and others,a policy reflected in Jax Tampa routing.

Onward!

[FlaBoy]

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/289740-bill-galvano-transportation-plan-teed-up

Sending the Suncoast up to Georgia near US 19 makes almost no sense. There is literally nothing on US 19/98 north of Citrus.

I would much prefer the Coastal Connector plan and major upgrades along 301 north (like the Starke and Baldwin Bypasses) and limit development along 301 in rural areas. 75 has been an absolute mess of recent years from Ocala to Tampa, and especially around the Turnpike. An easier connection for JAX-Gainesville-Ocala-Brooksville-Tampa-St. Pete would be beneficial to the state by relieving traffic on 75, I-4 and 275 in downtown Tampa.