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Public Controversy and Design innovations I-95 Express Lanes Project Development and Environment Study. Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. Gridlock!. Express Lanes in Florida: A Brief History. Variably-priced toll lanes – started in California near LA in early 1990s
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Public Controversy and Design innovationsI-95 Express LanesProject Development and Environment Study Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida
Express Lanes in Florida: A Brief History • Variably-priced toll lanes – started in California near LA in early 1990s • Toll lanes spread to Seattle, Houston, D.C., Dallas, Minneapolis • 2008: 8 miles constructed in Miami • 2019: 21 miles
Express Lanes in Florida: Why? • Reduce I-95 congestion • Increase capacity • Safe, predictable trips • Free-flow in Express Lanes • At least 45 mph
Express Lanes in Florida: Why? Reliable Travel Times
Express Lanes in Florida: Other Characteristics • Trip reliability: More vehicles in express lanes = higher tolls • Separation from general use lanes: • Tubular markers vs. concrete barrier wall • Barrier wall: too costly; too much right-of-way; • Offer motorists a choice!
Express Lanes in Florida: A Timeline • 2008: Miami • I-95 • Express lane standards were lacking 2010 • 2013: Orlando • I-4 Reconstruction Begins 2015 • 2015: Jacksonville • I-95 – 30 mile traffic study • 6-mile “PD&E” study (NEPA) • 2016-17: Jacksonville • Construction begins on two other projects 2020
Study Area Study Area Under Construction Now Open!
Adjacent Studies / Projects • Overland Bridge Project
Adjacent Studies / Projects • I-95 at JTB Interchange Project
Adjacent Studies / Projects • I-95 from JTB to Atlantic Boulevard
Project Issues • Aging urban interstate • Built in 1960s; widened to six lanes in 1990s • Deficient concrete pavement • 9 inches thick; should be 14!
Project Issues • Deficient structural clearances
Project Issues • Deficient sight distance • Chronic congestion • Deficient interchange geometry
Project Issues • Construction fatigue • Chronic congestion • Deficient interchange geometry
Safety along the Corridor • 1,819 crashes from 2011 to 2015 • 60% rear-end • 60% of crashes occurred between 3 and 6 PM
We’ve got data! R/W Concern Ponds In favor Noise
Take-aways from Workshop No. 1 • Revisit pond sites • Create narrated video explaining purpose and need of the project • Meet with stakeholders, neighborhoods
Workshop No. 2: August 3, 2017 • 175 attendees • Showed only preferred pond sites • 87 written comments
Issues from Workshop No. 2 Ponds In favor Not Interested in selling Interested in selling
Right-of-Way • 46 anticipated residential relocations • Started from 200 • 7 anticipated commercial relocations
Public Hearing: April 4, 2018 • 132 attendees • 18 comments • Primary issues • Noise walls • Back-ups at ending points of express lanes • No major controversy
Project Approval • November 2018
Lessons Learned • Full disclosure • Showed all pond sites under consideration • Responsive to public concerns • “Consensus” is not attainable • Strive for informed consent • Stay persistent • Opposition may grudgingly go along • This approach works!