Commuter rail’s future off the tracks in Jacksonville

stjr · January 31, 2009, 04:56:10 PM

Ock, you better grab your Kleenex box! You are not going to like this.....!

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-01-31/story/commuter_rail%E2%80%99s_future_off_the_tracks_in_jacksonville

More evidence that Jax leadership lacks proper visioning skills. This list is getting awfully long!

JeffreyS · January 31, 2009, 05:03:03 PM

Ock probably knows about this as he was quoted twice in the article. This is what we knew was going on at least it is being reported.
Peyton and the city council(most anyway) incompetence in action.

Ocklawaha · January 31, 2009, 05:21:47 PM

Right y'all, as usual, I'm in the middle of the whole mess as we go down in flames for the 400Th time in 30 years.

If Peyton or Crist thinks I'm done nipping at their heals, unless God see's otherwise, I'll be back in the saddle next week. 401 is a charm.

So my fellow Rebels and Transplants, grab your flag and a rock, 'cause this fight is going into the trenches. Remember Missionary Ridge, The Bloody Angle and Olustee... You Federals, and State minions, ain't seen nothin' yet! "Your army might of whooped my army, but you ain't whooped ME yet...

Mica is a friend of mine and let's just say, it ain't over - till it's over.

(nice find stjr, I knew it was running but hadn't seen it. I'll also be on the JTA TV show on the ? 5-8 ?? of Feb.)

So take heart my friends.

OCKLAWAHA

JeffreyS · January 31, 2009, 05:27:41 PM

I think it is a positive sign to see the TU reporting national officials calling out Peyton and the local sad sacks on the issue. Lord knows Peyton tries to hide. Hows that for glass half full.

Ocklawaha · January 31, 2009, 05:37:08 PM

No doubt Peyton and company will now hunker down in the Duval Fox Hole (it has a basement) and remain motionless for a few days. His plan to steal funds promised to JTA for operations and to steal other funds for transit from the BJP will lay low, or be in the hands of the council.

The theory is, if you don't move, a rattle snake can't bite you. Try it sometime, I wanna watch.

OCKLAWAHA

tufsu1 · January 31, 2009, 06:58:35 PM

I guess I missed something....

The article correctly states that Florida does not have any rail projects "shovel ready". That's because the STATE was not particularly interested in rail for quite some time. But they have spent the last ten years upgrading Tri-Rail in south Florida and doing the necessary studies for commuter rail in Orlando. And now the Tampa Bay area is getting serious about rail (TBARTA) and JTA is conducting a comprehensive feasibility stuidy here.

The article also quotes Mayor Peyton as saying that the City "is looking seriously at commuter rail and hopes to move forward with a plan in the next few years".

To me, the blame does not go to the City or JTA....but to Jeb Bush for purposefully trying to sabotage high speed rail...and FDOT for dragging its feet all these years!

brainstormer · January 31, 2009, 08:51:51 PM

I agree tufsu, there is plenty of blame to go around at both the state and local level. However, Peyton is full of crap. I have never once heard him even mention commuter rail as a serious consideration for Jacksonville. The next few years? Yeah right! We'll be lucky, or in my mind unlucky, if the damn courthouse is even started by then. At least we'll have an expensive place to get rid of our garbage and a few more lanes to our highways. I'm sorry, but there is no support in my house for the man. He needs to go!

thelakelander · February 01, 2009, 12:01:06 AM

Where has it been defined that shovel ready equates to being ready to go to construction in 60 - 90 days? Why aren't all communities using Florida's/Jacksonville's definition of "shovel ready."

Also, haven't all the necessary studies for Amtrak on the FEC corridor been completed? I thought funding was the only issue stopping that project from moving forward a couple of years ago.

I also agree with those who have stated that we're giving lip service instead of aggressively moving forward with any realistic rail proposals. Even if plans are not "shovel ready" shifting money currently set aside for mass transit does not suggest that our local leaders have placed a high priority on rail. I hope to see more articles like this published. Leaders need to be called out on this issue. Heavy criticism can help wake a few lost souls up.

GatorShane · February 01, 2009, 12:49:42 AM

Frustrating. We have a major political force(whose party now controls the White House and both houses of congress) in Corrine Brown who is on the transportation finance committee and our mayor couldnt submit a bid to get any of the 1.1 billion dollars allocated for transportation projects. I am at a loss for words.

stjr · February 01, 2009, 01:03:36 AM

I bet there are at least some consultants in transportation, engineering, and land acquisition that are "shovel ready" in this economy. Getting them in gear would be a stimulus and move us forward.

And that's from a consultant cynic, Ock!

. Being a realist, they ain't gonna do nothin' without them so let's at least light the fuse.

ProjectMaximus · February 01, 2009, 03:46:45 AM

Quote from: JeffreyS on January 31, 2009, 05:27:41 PM
I think it is a positive sign to see the TU reporting national officials calling out Peyton and the local sad sacks on the issue. Lord knows Peyton tries to hide. Hows that for glass half full.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Mr. Hannan's writing style seems to have done a 180 since his previous articles about rail feasibility.

ProjectMaximus · February 01, 2009, 03:48:54 AM

article "updated" this morning: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-02-01/story/peyton_jacksonville_could_be_rail_center

Basically the same thing, but with new headings and a new title: "Peyton: Jacksonville could be rail center
FIRST COAST TOUTED Peyton says rail service could boost Jacksonville, but actions cast doubt on that notion."

Charles Hunter · February 01, 2009, 07:43:07 AM

The text of HR 1 - the House version of the Stimulus Bill - is online. [NOTE: Choose the PDF option on that page, the search function on the web page is lousy] The section about "Fixed guideway transit" begins on page 214, line 16. There's $2 Billion available nation-wide, BUT

Quotethe deadline for grantees to enter into obligations to make use of not less than 50 percent of the funds awarded shall be 180 days after apportionment

JTA only has a feasibility study - no way they could spend any money for actual "stuff" in less than half a year. They haven't completed any environmental work, and if they need any land, there's no way they could buy it in 6 months following the Fed rules.

Of course, the Senate may change it completely, then it would have to go to conference committee.

There's another section of HR 1 that talks about Amtrak, on page 211 - $300 Million to provide capital assistance for intercity rail service, and another $800 Million (p. 212) to repair and refurbish existing tracks. Both have the 180 day limit, and both of the Amtrak provisions prohibit use for operating costs.

Other transportation money - for highways- must be under contract in 120 days (p. 209, section begins on 207).

tufsu1 · February 01, 2009, 02:09:55 PM

Quote from: GatorShane on February 01, 2009, 12:49:42 AM
Frustrating. We have a major political force(whose party now controls the White House and both houses of congress) in Corrine Brown who is on the transportation finance committee and our mayor couldnt submit a bid to get any of the 1.1 billion dollars allocated for transportation projects. I am at a loss for words.

wrong...the Mayor's proposal did include $ for local roads as well as transit

thelakelander · February 01, 2009, 02:54:44 PM

It just raids dedicated transit money for isolated local road and potentially courthouse improvements. That's the largest problem I see with the Mayor's plan. Leave the mass transit money alone.