The worst commute hits the road in Clay

[Steve]

The county ranks a sorry No. 1 in the state

By DAVID HUNT, The Times-Union


Think Blanding Boulevard and U.S. 17 get crowded in the morning?

So do the statistics.

A Times-Union analysis of statewide numbers shows Clay County commuters have a longer trip to work than those living in Florida's most-developed areas. The data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 American Community Survey, which examined the state's 40 most populated counties. The results of the survey were released in September.

Clay County's 33.4-minute commute tops the national average by more than eight minutes and is about two minutes longer than Florida's second-place county, Osceola, south of Orlando.

Denise Bunnewith, executive director of the First Coast Metropolitan Planning Organization, said higher commute times outside Jacksonville show regional economic development has not kept up with the area's housing boom.

"We need high-paying jobs in those counties. You can't buy a half-million-dollar house by working at Publix," she said. "That's why everybody's going to Duval, because that's where the jobs are."

Clay County Commission Chairman Harold Rutledge, who also serves as president of the Northeast Florida Regional Council, said county officials are searching for higher-paying employers to move in and make Clay County less of a bedroom community.

Rutledge said plans are taking shape for another traffic-easing strategy, a north-south corridor that would cost an estimated $80 million. The county is reworking its transportation impact fee ordinance, he added, and that may help pay for the work.

Clay's commute outranked the average in Miami-Dade County, which came in fifth with a 30.5-minute drive. Tampa-area drivers in Hillsborough County ranked 13th, and neighboring Pasco County ranked third and Pinellas County ranked 28th. Orlando-area drivers in Orange County ranked 15th with 25.9-minute commutes, a time matching the state average.

Clay County commuters aren't the only ones putting the First Coast on the map. Putnam and Nassau counties commutes rank fourth and eighth, respectively, statewide.

St. Johns County commuters take an average 25 minutes to get to work, matching the national average. Duval and Flagler county commuters need around 23 minutes.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is studying how light rail and long-range ferry service could lift the burden from the region's roadways. Spokesman Mike Miller said the studies are expected to be complete next year. Meanwhile, the agency is moving forward with plans to build rapid bus corridors.

Miller said the bus lines would be tied in to the region's developing Intelligent Transportation System, a network of sensors and message boards to help determine where congestion is and how to avoid it.

In Clay County, Rutledge said many people are holding out hope that the state's proposed First Coast outer beltway comes together. The $1.8 billion project would connect Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties with a 46.5-mile toll road.

Florida Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Goldman said transportation officials are continuing to look for funding. A construction timetable has not been announced.

david.hunt@jacksonville.com,

(904) 359-4025

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102507/met_211753842.shtml

[thelakelander]

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is studying how light rail and long-range ferry service could lift the burden from the region's roadways. Spokesman Mike Miller said the studies are expected to be complete next year. Meanwhile, the agency is moving forward with plans to build rapid bus corridors.

They are not studying light rail and building parallel bus lines to 103rd Street or a beltway in 20 years won't help Clay's problems.  Sounds like the Metro Jacksonville idea of rail on the CSX "A" is a much cheaper and quicker alternative solution. 

[Jason]

The meant to say "Metro Jacksonville" is studying how light rail....

[Steve]

They are not studying light rail and building parallel bus lines to 103rd Street or a beltway in 20 years won't help Clay's problems.  Sounds like the Metro Jacksonville idea of rail on the CSX "A" is a much cheaper and quicker alternative solution.

I emailed the writer right after I posted it and discussed those exact points - I gave him links to our plans and stuff.

[Bostech]

Maybe they are studying Metro Jacksonville study about light rail?
It will take them till next year,since they are loggin into site only none is around. :-)

[Jason]

I was wondering when you'd find your way over here Bos.  Glad your here.