"Emerald necklace" plan

[downtownbrown]

I think it will take more than lights and bikes to get people to be comfortable.  Did some demo research on some of the neighborhoods, and it will require a pretty high level of comfort and safety in my view.

[Tacachale]

I think it will take more than lights and bikes to get people to be comfortable.  Did some demo research on some of the neighborhoods, and it will require a pretty high level of comfort and safety in my view.

I think you'll be surprised who will be willing to use the path. Not least of all would be the people from the "unsafe" neighborhoods who walk or ride bikes currently to get between these areas, without the benefit of dedicated infrastructure.

[downtownbrown]

I hope so, and I hope taxpayers are comfortable with the spend.

[KenFSU]

^If taxpayers are comfortable using capital improvement dollars to build a dorm for a private college because the president of the school supported Curry's pension reform, I'd hope we'd be comfortable funding a much-needed publicly amenity like this.

[ProjectMaximus]

We have biked through several urban pathways, including Columbus and Ft Wayne.  Definitely some sketchy neighborhoods passed through, but never had an incident.  As mentioned, it's a daytime thing and the more people there are using the trail, the less likely it is that there will be problems.  Far more concerned about my health from the asses in vehicles than I am on criminals preying on me.

I'm a jogger and I can say the same for Atlanta, Minneapolis and Indy.

[Steve]

I hope so, and I hope taxpayers are comfortable with the spend.

No issues from my perspective. This is a hugely important project. I think something like this would be a great use of bike cops, etc.

[KenFSU]

$10.6 million in the mayor's draft budget for the McCoy's Creek portion of the Emerald Necklace.

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/20180626/uf-health-emerald-necklace-and-hart-bridge-ramps-highlight-draft-capital-plan

[thelakelander]

To be honest, I'm most happy to see the restoration of the Moncrief Cemeteries District in this. Kudos to the mayor's office. That's impressive.

[Tacachale]

Great news!

[Charles Hunter]

From the TU article, "The second phase of the Hart Bridge demolition project would involve making improvements at ground level to Bay Street."  Does that mean the plan is to remove the ramps, then, sometime in the future, come back and add the 2 lanes to Bay / Gator Bowl Blvd. needed to handle the traffic?

And I agree, good news on the Moncrief Cemeteries.

[Steve]

I'm actually pleasantly surprised at the amount of capital in the budget for these projects - that's REALLY awesome to see. I'll reserve full judgement for when the budget is presented to Council in July (And then obviously if and when the Council chops, but this is a GREAT start.

Agree about the Cemetery restoration too!

[KenFSU]

^Agree with all.

Seems like a responsible, fair budget when it would have been pretty easy to go flashy.

Does that mean the plan is to remove the ramps, then, sometime in the future, come back and add the 2 lanes to Bay / Gator Bowl Blvd. needed to handle the traffic?

Sounds like it.

Not necessarily ideal, but I like the fact that we're prepared to action here.

[Charles Hunter]

Although, it might give a real-world look at whether the additional lanes are needed, instead of projections.  The max load will be when there are multiple events at the sports complex during a weekday evening, mixing multiple event traffic with evening commuters.  Now, the commuters can get on the Hart Ramps, and never mix with sports complex traffic; once demolition begins, that won't be an option.  On the other hand, you don't build roadways for The Worst traffic day, but something less than that (typ. 30th highest hour).

[jax_hwy_engineer]

Current concept is retain 2 lanes each direction on to and off of the Hart and on to and off of to the ramps near Intuition. Between those areas (which is currently called Gator Bowl Blvd) there will be 3 lanes each direction with 7' bike lanes. The curve along Gator Bowl Blvd will be cut off and become a signalized intersection, as will the intersection of A Phillip Randolph and Bay Street.

Concept is subject to change.

[Charles Hunter]

JHE - is the six-lane section possible with the $25 million Phase 1 budget in the Draft CIP?
Also, since a PD&E has not been done, is the proposal to just cut off the bridge pilings, to avoid disturbing potentially (very) contaminated soil?