FDOT hosts final public meeting for proposed I-95 improvements from I-10 to Beaver Street
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hosted its final public hearing for the I-95 Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study from I-10 to Beaver Street on Feb. 2.
A kick-off meeting was first held last August to introduce the study and its proposed improvements along this corridor of the I-95 to the public and open channels for public feedback. In September, The Resident reported the “study presented ‘options to improve safety, capacity, and traffic operations on I-95’ including adding two 12-foot lanes in each direction of the interstate and deck replacement and rehabilitation of the Myrtle Avenue Bridge. Additional options include ‘intersection and roadway improvements at Church Street, Beaver Street, and West Union Street [and] potential changes in access to and from I-95 ramp terminal.’”
Following this kick-off meeting — which was a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting — FDOT revisited the proposed improvements along with the feedback provided by the community.
FDOT presented an updated version of the PD&E Study at the February meeting to reflect changes made since receiving public input.
“Notably, proposed improvements that were not included during the kick-off meeting include improvements on Park Street and Forest Street,” wrote FDOT Community Outreach Manager Hampton Ray in an e-mail. “Additionally, the reconfiguration of the Forest Street and Margaret Street intersection to a roundabout is being considered as part of this project.”
According to the February meeting, the Park Street improvements include “adding a raised median along Park Street between Edison Avenue and Forest Street, to improve traffic operations and safety” and reducing it “to one lane in the southbound direction between Roselle Street and Forest Street, to accommodate the addition of left turn lanes in the north direction.”
In addition to the proposed roundabout, the new improvements for Forest Street also include “a channelized right turn from Myrtle Avenue onto Forest Street.”
In his email, Ray added that “the funding is not yet in place” for these additions to the PD&E Study.
The Rail Yard District is one quadrant of Jacksonville impacted by the study’s proposed changes to access to and from I-95 and I-10, two major interstates both for Jacksonville and the nation at large. The Rail Yard District Business Council Immediate Past President Jeff Edwards said the council has maintained a working relationship with FDOT, providing input on how any proposed changes could impact the Rail Yard District.
“Overall we appreciate that FDOT has responded well, positively, from members of the Rail Yard Business District Council, [but] there’s still some concerns,” he said.
“The Rail Yard District has a total, by our count, of I believe six exits from I-95 and I-10 — four from I-95 and two from I-10 — and we think the strength in part of the geographic area that makes up the Rail Yard District is the access from those two interstates coming together,” he said. “…We want to be able to tap into that vein of traffic; that’s a major economic asset for the Rail Yard District as well as for downtown and other areas in the urban core, but we’re advocating from our viewpoint for the Rail Yard District. So it’s very important that we preserve good access to the interstate on and off for the future economic development of the Rail Yard District. “
Public comments on this project could be submitted until Feb. 16.
Once all public comments are collected and considered, “a decision will be made and the final PD&E document will be sent to the Florida Department of Transportation Office of Environmental Management, which…has approval authority on this project granting location and design concept acceptance.”
Before construction can begin, FDOT must complete right-of-way acquisition — the process of procuring any necessary real estate — which is estimated to cost $2.6 million and is expected to begin next year. The project itself is currently expected to cost $194 million and wouldn’t begin until 2026, although all current estimates and timelines are subject to change.
This PD&E study is expected to wrap up early this year before the project moves on to its next stages.
By Michele Leivas
Resident Community News
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