JTA and JIA updates

[ProjectMaximus]

I know this is behind the paywall so just gonna include a couple tidbits:

Brad Thoburn, JTA vice president of planning, development and innovation, presented the most detailed plan to date for the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C). U2C will be the name of the Skyway once it is retrofitted to accommodate autonomous vehicles in the next few years.

At the event, Thoburn presented a future route rendering for the transit system. U2C will extend from the Skyway's 2.5 mile elevated track into Springfield, San Marco, Riverside and other sites via off-ramps that will allow autonomous vehicles to descend to roadways.

JAA CEO Steve Grossman is optimistic about the authority's air service future, he told the event crowd. He pointed to several recent developments, including new flights through Frontier and Southwest (NYSE: LUV) out of Jacksonville International Airport. Grossman said the authority is also working with one or two European carriers to bring European routes to Jacksonville.

"No city the size of Jacksonville has trans-Atlantic flights," he said, acknowledging the up hill battle.

Grossman was more hopeful of landing flights to and from Los Angeles.

"LA is our biggest unserved market," said Grossman. "It just so happens, we are LA's biggest unserved market. So we've got a shot."

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2017/10/24/jax-agencies-start-major-transportation-efforts.html

[ProjectMaximus]

Also a video presentation about the skyway-u2c

https://www.facebook.com/JBJNews/videos/1663826140315664/

[Tacachale]

"U2C"? C'mon, folks.

[BridgeTroll]

"U2C"? C'mon, folks.

Rofl... "ultimate"...

[acme54321]

So they're going to build a new bride across the river just for this little automated car?  Uh huh. 

[ProjectMaximus]

"U2C"? C'mon, folks.

It'll be perfect after we land HQ2. You just don't get it cause you weren't paid $100k to come up with the name.

[jaxjaguar]

So they're going to build a new bride across the river just for this little automated car?  Uh huh. 

The bridge already exists. They'll be adding Spurs to the current termination points

[Tacachale]

So they're going to build a new bride across the river just for this little automated car?  Uh huh. 

The bridge already exists. They'll be adding Spurs to the current termination points

No, it looks like a new bridge over the St. Johns, between the Main Street and Hart. Hmm.

[acme54321]

So they're going to build a new bride across the river just for this little automated car?  Uh huh. 

The bridge already exists. They'll be adding Spurs to the current termination points

No, it looks like a new bridge over the St. Johns, between the Main Street and Hart. Hmm.

This... That's a big HMMMMM too.  Kind of makes the whole pitch of this lose credibility in my eyes.  JTA should know that's pie in the sky.

[exnewsman]

"U2C"? C'mon, folks.

Pretty sure that's just the project name. No real branding/marketing would be done yet at this point. But U2C is easier to say than Ultimate Urban Circulator.

[exnewsman]

So they're going to build a new bride across the river just for this little automated car?  Uh huh. 

The bridge already exists. They'll be adding Spurs to the current termination points

No, it looks like a new bridge over the St. Johns, between the Main Street and Hart. Hmm.

This... That's a big HMMMMM too.  Kind of makes the whole pitch of this lose credibility in my eyes.  JTA should know that's pie in the sky.

Its a new bridge according to Thoburn. It would be for the U2C, pedestrians and bicycles. No other motor traffic. Based on the location, it would connect the Shipyards are wit The District/Southbank. Its not like you would need massive infrastructure like the Hart Bridge if you not carry heavy traffic. My biggest question mark is clearance for boating traffic.

[thelakelander]

Clearance would be an issue...unless it's a drawbridge.

[jaxjaguar]

I guess they're going for something like the John Seigenthaler pedestrian bridge in Nashville, but with a SkyWay lane? It would definitely make the game day experience better / potentially open up land for game day parking on the south bank. Then you could use more of those lots surrounding the stadium for garages, entertainment, lodging, etc.

[TimmyB]

"U2C"? C'mon, folks.

Pretty sure that's just the project name. No real branding/marketing would be done yet at this point. But U2C is easier to say than Ultimate Urban Circulator.

We could just go with the initials: UUC.  Pronounced, "UCK".  That'll be a winner!

[acme54321]

You've got a lot of issues with building a bridge in that spot.  It would need at least 75' clearance, the river is a third mile wide and 50' deep with a ripping current through there, and it ends in the middle of the district which I'm pretty sure would have no interest in that.   Big time money.