Public Meeting Report - Jacksonville Transportation Authority

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Frequently Asked Questions BRT North Corridor 1. What is the BRT North Corridor Project? The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) North Corridor project is a transit project proposed by JTA that will have modern, environmentally friendly buses using existing streets with 10-15 minute frequencies. The service combines advanced traffic signal technologies, dedicated travel lanes, new vehicles, pre-board ticketing machines and new stations with real time customer information, and park and ride locations to improve transit mobility, operating cost and service frequency. The service route extends north from State Street along Boulevard Street, to Golfair Boulevard, then north along Brentwood Avenue continuing north along Norwood Avenue/Lem Turner Road ending at Armsdale Road, just south of I-295. 2. How is BRT North Corridor linked into JTA’s regional transportation vision? JTA‘s regional vision is to create a multi-modal system that addresses our regions’ diverse transportation needs. The system will use established local bus, express bus, and expanded community shuttles to feed into future BRT, commuter rail, and possibly waterborne transit services. The BRT north corridor project, following the BRT Downtown Phase One project, is the second long-range transit project to launch under JTA’s regional vision. You can learn more about JTA’s regional vision by visiting www.jtafla.com click RTS. 3. What is the North Corridor Environmental Assessment (EA)? The BRT North Corridor EA is the next level of environmental analysis that follows the Tier One Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). Previously referenced as the Tier Two, the BRT North Corridor EA is a federally mandated process that allows JTA to obtain the necessary approval to use federal funds to build the BRT over the next five to 10 years. During the EA process social, economic and environmental impacts along the route, as well as, mitigation of any impacts will be assessed. 4. Will this next level of environmental study be conducted in the other three Corridors? Yes. JTA is tentatively planning to start the EA/Tier Two in the other corridors as follows: Southeast in Spring 2009, Southwest in Fall 2009 and East in Winter 2009/2010. The North Corridor is the first corridor under study because it has a high senior and transit dependent population plus the highest number of people using transit. By implementing BRT in this area, people will be able to connect to jobs, schools, entertainment and other services easier. Page 1 of 3
Frequently Asked Questions BRT North Corridor 5. Why has the route changed from I-95? In the long-term, the JTA hopes to be able to operate transit service in/adjacent to managed lanes along I-95. But with rising fuel prices, JTA sees the need for near-term transit improvements for all the BRT corridors. To meet increasing demands in operating costs and increased riders, JTA found it more beneficial to implement a near-term system that utilizes the north corridor street arterials and can be operable within a five to 10 year period. 6. How will the new route affect the community homes, businesses and churches? During the North Corridor Study, any impacts will be evaluated. JTA anticipates minimal impacts since BRT will travel along the same streets utilized by existing local bus service. The new route will give riders a more frequent, reliable service improving mobility within the community. 7. Does this mean my property will no longer be purchased? Each case varies depending on the location of the property. Now that JTA is focusing on implementing BRT along existing streets as a part of the North Corridor Study, instead of building an exclusive transitway along I-95 as presented in the Tier One study, the parcels identified in the Tier One may no longer be of need. JTA will personally contact any individual whose property is needed for the north corridor system development. Properties may be needed in some locations along the new route for stations, queue jumps at traffic signals, and for park and ride lots. 8. Will this affect our property values? The JTA cannot predict impacts to property values. We are planning to build new stations and shelters that are visually appealing, while providing a potential enhancement to the community. 9. Will streets be widened for bus lanes? No. The system will use existing road infrastructure. Where additional road pavement is available, such as the striped out lanes on Lem Turner Road between the Trout River and south of Armsdale Road, restriping will allow for bus only lanes. 10. What will the stations look like? At this time JTA is working with other agencies and community leaders to help us decided the most suitable style of shelter to implement for the BRT system. The new shelters are planned to offer security, lighting, real time information monitors, more weather protection and other amenities. Page 2 of 3
Page 1 and 2: Bus Rapid Transit North Corridor En
Page 3: Outreach and Notification Exhibits
Page 6 and 7: JACKSONVILLE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORI
Page 8 and 9: Meeting Materials PowerPoint Presen
Page 10 and 11: Regional Transportation System Visi
Page 12 and 13: One Transit System BRT North Corrid
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Page 18 and 19: Study Purpose • Recommend Near-Te
Page 20 and 21: Potential Station Locations • W.
Page 22 and 23: Existing Lanes Existing Travel Lane
Page 24 and 25: What is an Environmental Assessment
Page 26 and 27: Your Comments There are several way
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