St Johns River CrossingI have watched the news coverage of the proposed 495 with great interest. Did anyone else notice the Pink route was selected before they announced the free Shands Bridge would be eliminated? I was a supporter of the Purple/Black routes, because I've always thought that having two places to cross the River is better than simply having one. More roads, bridges, and choices, less drivers congested in one spot. It was also interesting to note that the Pink/Brown routes were very similar and the Purple/Black ones were alike. The FDOT claimed the pink route garnered the most community support, but if you looked at their numbers comparing the Southerly routes (Pink/Brown) to the Northern Routes (purple/black), the Northern routes were cummulatively more popular. I think the Black route got the least support from the state because it was the most expensive. But, if you looked at the number or road miles you were getting for the price, it looked like the best value. And, most importantly, it connected 495 directly into 95. I would love to see some more community dialogue on this! Is there a chance we could influence them to select the Purple/Black route? Start a new petition? What are the options at this point in time? It looks like some investers from China will own the entire road for the next 40 years anyway! See Sunday's Times Union article on funding the bridge with tolls through outside investors. This should concern every American too! Related: thegeyser's blog | login or register to post comments | printer friendly version | Tags: 495 | Bridge | FDOT | Outer Beltway | Roads
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Once again, state officials have decided to use the populace as their own personal shooting gallery, maiming and crippling us with unnecessary taxes and poorly designed beltways.
To compound the outrage, talk is circulating that maybe a private entity could do the job better (which it probably could) but at a much higher price than I am willing to pay. Toll roads are OK so long as I have a choice in the matter. Traffic will probably be lighter on a toll road which would attract some commuters. But putting forth the idea that the Shands bridge be destroyed for the benefit of a private concern is just criminal. Whoever came up with that idea needs a one way trip out of state. This goes even beyond the scurrilous abomination of Eminent Domain. When the sorry lot masquerading as the Supreme Court said it was fine by them to steal private proprty to give to another private developer the state of Florida quickly reacted by tightening up those regulations to prevent it happening heree. At the moment, the Shands bridge is public property for use by the citizenry and should not be allowed to be destroyed to benefit a private company.
I feel that if at this early stage, so many bad ideas are on the table, it would be best to table the entire discussion until more rational heads can take over. Or at the very least, less corrupt heads.
Lily's Lore