The I-95 Overland Bridge Project

[tufsu1]

correct....this is purely a "maintenance" project using maintenance funds....any additional improvements (i.e., ramps, tunnels, etc.) would have to come from capacity funds.

The other issue is that adding other things to this project would complicate the environmental review process...and it could take 5+ years just to get Federal approval....I think they are trying to get through this as fast as possible to get the project started before they have to spend too much $ on interim repairs.

As I noted in another thread, any interchange changes would require either an IMR or IJR study....which would cost at least $1 million and add a few years to the review/approval calendar.

[stjr]

It's a little hard to read the minute details of the photos here so please confirm the following will exist when all construction is finished:

The Main Street bridge ramp will, after combining with the Acosta Ramp still provide the ability to do ALL three of the following:

1. Exit to Beach/Atlantic
2. Exit to US 1
3. Enter I-95 Southbound

Will these exits mirror the current direct arrangements to #1 and #2 or will more twists/turns be added?  How many lanes will exit I-95 in the new arrangement to feed 1 through 3 above.  I am assuming I-95ers be able to rejoin I-95 at the ramp's end if they take this ramp in error or change their mind to exit assuming #3 is correct.  Is this right?

Only the Acosta will provide direct access to Hendricks Ave.  What are they thinking on the Main Street Bridge connection alternates?  Do they involve upgrades or street reconfigurations?  Where there many speakers to this at the hearing?

[Ocklawaha]

While I think we'd all agree that the Skyway Multi-Modal Station Southbank, and the Garage were done without a thought to traffic or potential passenger load, the exits should have been built from the start, Al La 1960.

It's a relative easy fix to see that a long exit ramp (see highway 46 ramp at the Seminole Town Center, Sanford, for an example) could be done Northbound between Emerson and Atlantic. Yes, it would probably take out the last row of buildings next to the sound barrier wall. But in true Socialist Highway fashion, it would be "For the Greater Good of the People."

A Southbound entry ramp from Atlantic-Beach/Kings/is a wee bit tougher, but a flyover from the SW corner of Kings and Atlantic, up and over the US 1 ramps and a merge about 1/2 way to Emerson seems possible. Also traveling Southbound on Philips, a left turn onto a widened side street which ends in a ramp SOUTH would also work if signal protected.

None of this approaches the subject of Commuter Rail, which could be done within 60 days, as a mitigation factor. We should at least get rail to Race Track or Old St. Augustine Road. Simple asphalt platforms, 100' long, simple bus shelters, a cryptogram sign, and a large grass, gravel etc parking lot, for a quick start. A maintenance contract with FEC or Watco (both railroad operators have HUGE shops in Jacksonville), for 5 RDC cars, and we're in business. Y'all do recall that the FEC is NOT CSX, so the State deal with Orlando/CSX has ZERO bearing on our Southbank Rail opportunity.

FYI, after the Loma-Prieta Earthquake, LA Metrolink was up and running in DAYS! Borrowed or loaned equipment and rail crossings for stops... hey it worked!

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Stjr, the images can be enlarged by clicking them.  Here is a larger image of the minute details.

[Ocklawaha]

correct....this is purely a "maintenance" project using maintenance funds....any additional improvements (i.e., ramps, tunnels, etc.) would have to come from capacity funds.

The other issue is that adding other things to this project would complicate the environmental review process...and it could take 5+ years just to get Federal approval....I think they are trying to get through this as fast as possible to get the project started before they have to spend too much $ on interim repairs.

As I noted in another thread, any interchange changes would require either an IMR or IJR study....which would cost at least $1 million and add a few years to the review/approval calendar.

So start on the Overland Bridge as is and:

Get the rail up and running as a mitigating factor

+

Start an immediate study of a all new project to get access to this critical Southbank area from I-95 South.


OCKLAWAHA

[ralpho37]

So when all this is said and done are there going additional lanes in that stretch?  Or is this simply rebuilding everything the way it is now?  Other than the bridge deterioration, I'm having trouble understanding what is suddenly such a huge problem.  It would be nice to see them rebuild this to 4 lanes each way to ease some of the rush hour traffic.

[tufsu1]

 in theory, they can't add capacity...what they are doing instead is adding lanes for maintenance-of-traffic that will become permanent...so at the end of the day, there will be 3 lanes southbound on mainline I-95 (instead of the 2 that exist now from Atlantic to south of US 1)

[ralpho37]

Ah okay, so will there be 3 regular lanes of traffic, or will there be 2 lanes plus 1 service lane?

[tufsu1]

Ah okay, so will there be 3 regular lanes of traffic, or will there be 2 lanes plus 1 service lane?

3 mainline thru lanes...plus additional lanes on the side collector-distributor road (the part that will provide access to San Marco/Atlangtic/Phillips)...best guess is there will be 6 total lanes...just like there are northbound (including the 3 lanes to downtown)

[stjr]

It's a little hard to read the minute details of the photos here so please confirm the following will exist when all construction is finished:

The Main Street bridge ramp will, after combining with the Acosta Ramp still provide the ability to do ALL three of the following:

1. Exit to Beach/Atlantic
2. Exit to US 1
3. Enter I-95 Southbound

Will these exits mirror the current direct arrangements to #1 and #2 or will more twists/turns be added?  How many lanes will exit I-95 in the new arrangement to feed 1 through 3 above.  I am assuming I-95ers be able to rejoin I-95 at the ramp's end if they take this ramp in error or change their mind to exit assuming #3 is correct.  Is this right?

Only the Acosta will provide direct access to Hendricks Ave.  What are they thinking on the Main Street Bridge connection alternates?  Do they involve upgrades or street reconfigurations?  Where there many speakers to this at the hearing?

I appreciate Lake's response to the above but I still can't be sure of the answers.  I can't tell if the purple pathway allows recombination with I-95 at the end of the ramp or are there dividers keeping traffic separate to the end?  Nor can I easily tell what happens at the bottom of the ramp.  Does it dump on US 1 and Atlantic/Beach as currently or is the pathway to either being changed?  And, again, was their any public response to these changes or the Hendricks Avenue change?  Thanks for a detailed answer. 

[cayohueso]

Moon River Pizza.

Sorry...just had to do it.

[civil42806]

LOL good for you now if we can just get rail involved

Moon River Pizza.

Sorry...just had to do it.

[thelakelander]

It's a little hard to read the minute details of the photos here so please confirm the following will exist when all construction is finished:

The Main Street bridge ramp will, after combining with the Acosta Ramp still provide the ability to do ALL three of the following:

1. Exit to Beach/Atlantic
2. Exit to US 1
3. Enter I-95 Southbound

Will these exits mirror the current direct arrangements to #1 and #2 or will more twists/turns be added?  How many lanes will exit I-95 in the new arrangement to feed 1 through 3 above.  I am assuming I-95ers be able to rejoin I-95 at the ramp's end if they take this ramp in error or change their mind to exit assuming #3 is correct.  Is this right?

Only the Acosta will provide direct access to Hendricks Ave.  What are they thinking on the Main Street Bridge connection alternates?  Do they involve upgrades or street reconfigurations?  Where there many speakers to this at the hearing?

I appreciate Lake's response to the above but I still can't be sure of the answers.  I can't tell if the purple pathway allows recombination with I-95 at the end of the ramp or are there dividers keeping traffic separate to the end?

Traffic will reconnect like it does today.  This will allow Main Street and Acosta Bridge drivers access to I-95 South.

Nor can I easily tell what happens at the bottom of the ramp.  Does it dump on US 1 and Atlantic/Beach as currently or is the pathway to either being changed?

The ramp's exits will stay the same.

And, again, was their any public response to these changes or the Hendricks Avenue change?  Thanks for a detailed answer. 

I had a few meetings scheduled that day so I did not stay for the public hearing.

All of images in the main article can be enlarged by clicking on them.  Doing this should allow you to see the proposed improvements in better detail.  Here is an enlarged image that better illustrates the west section of this project.

[jeh1980]

We're looking at a total of a good 14 lanes when it all gets finished!

[Jason]

Wait, they're closing the FEC crossing beneath I95 by Baptist?  I don't get it.