975 replies to this topic

[spenser1058]

Bike trails pump $42M into Central Florida economy, study says


http://www.orlandose...0,4739335.story

A "Good News" story of building livable communities that, sadly, now Tallahassee wants to "fix."

*sigh*

Edited by spenser1058, 17 October 2011 - 06:34 PM.

[spenser1058]

Moody's downgrades Expressway Authority's bonds

http://www.wftv.com/...ys-bonds/nFJWm/

This will be interesting to see how it impacts the Wekiva parkway and the state's ham-handed attempted to take over O-OCEA.

[Downtown Steve]

$1.66B Wekiva Parkway gets approval

A decades-long drive to build a highway across the Wekiva River likely came to a successful end Tuesday after the project won approval from a key regional transportation board.
The decision means construction on the $1.66 billion Wekiva Parkway could start as early as this fall at the west end near Apopka. Work on the east end, where the toll road links with Interstate 4, would begin in 2017. The parkway would largely follow State Road 46 and be complete by 2021.

[smileguy]

It looks like West Church St. is getting some streetscape upgrades between Amway and the Citrus Bowl.  This seems to include BRT lanes that are not in the current expansion phases.  Any thoughts on that?

From the City Council item - "The project includes upgrades to the existing pavement sections, widening sidewalks on both sides, new street lighting, undergrounding existing overhead utilities, a faux bridge at the new Parramore Heritage Park, upgrades to stormwater collection systems, intersection signalization upgrades, future "Lymmo" type service lanes to the Citrus Bowl, landscaping and irrigation and other aesthetic improvements."

[prahaboheme]

The streetscape upgrades are sorely needed.  That is a welcome improvement.  The Lymmo BRT lanes are not.  Who is going to use them and why isn't the priority the North/South axis extension?

[Downtown Steve]

I'm not sure which one is the priority (E/W or N/S) but if the E/W is going to be done, then now is the time to do it along with the rest of the improvements to W. Church Street.  I know their goal is to have them both done by the end of 2013 before SunRail arrives.

In terms of SunRail, I'd put E/W as a higher priority than N/S.  If I live outside of Orlando and take the train in, I have the choice to get off at Orlando Health, Church Street, LYNX Central Station or Florida Hospital.  AKA, the center and the north and south ends of the North/South LYMMO track.  

The only reason I'd have to walk far is if I worked in an office in Thornton Park/Eola Heights/Colonialtown.  And on the west end, the LYMMO would connect those residents to the train that they could then take north or south outside of Orlando or to the hospitals.

[castorvx]

I agree. I think the primary motivation for the E/W over the N/S is SunRail.

Though I do think the E/W route is a joke. I live in 55W, want to shop in Thornton Park, and it will still be less of a pain in the ass to use my car.

[prahaboheme]

Lynx issues new RFP for FlexBus study, demo

http://www.bizjourna...xbus-study.html

[klstorey]

Heading to Tampa the other day I noticed some markers around where the new Regency Village Drive I-4 flyover (near Vineland Ave) to Palm Parkway is going.  It is about to break ground soon so this may be the first small signs of the construction there.  It was just a few stakes in the ground with ribbons on them but still an exciting sign!

[klstorey]

Transit Time: New Orlando roads around the tourist district

Just compilied a list of my favorite new road projects around I-Drive.  The list includes...

• Wildwood Area Road Network with details of the I-4 flyover and future intersection
  
• Grand National Drive with details on the flyover and future SUL exit ramps
  
• Destination Parkway with details on the road linking JYP and I-Drive
  
• I-4 expansion with details on the Special Use Lanes/Lexus Lanes
  
• A new North/South Road that runs parellel to I-Drive along the southern end of the Orange County portion of the road
  
• Kirkman Road with an interesting link to a Orlando Sentinel story that speaks of plans for Kirkman to look like Paris' Champs-Elysees.

Check it out and tell me if I missed anything.  Also let me know if anything I mention now has it's status shifted.

[FLheat]

I noticed they are finally working on the The Dinky Line Trail.  It is a part of the overall Orlando Urban Trail that is planned to eventually connect to Church Street in Downtown Orlando. The City is currently overseeing the design and construction of the 0.9 mile segment between Virginia Drive and Magnolia Avenue. The Dinky Line Trail Bridge over Lake Formosa is already complete.  The completion of the trail along Haven Drive in the Lake Formosa Neighborhood is being coordinated with the developer of the Mills Park Project.   The alignment of the trail generally follows the old rail spur with a shift between Ferris Avenue and Highland Avenue to route around the Lake Highland Prep Sports Complex and take advantage of the vistas of Lake Highland and the Downtown Orlando Skyline.

It is kind of odd though that they are also widening the sidewalks along Orange Ave on the Lake Ivanhoe side which runs less than a half of block parallel to this new trail.  A lot of new concrete laid in a not very busy pedestrian area.  It would be nice of they could have some how tied the two together.

Edited by FLheat, 12 March 2012 - 03:08 PM.

[Downtown Steve]

I think I posted in a different thread, but LYNX is issuing an RFP for design/build for a portion (Washington to Amelia, I think) and Design alone (Amelia to 50?) section of the trail.

The developer for Steel House gave an easement to the City to build along the west side of their property.

It's coming together...

[bulldogger]

FLheat, on 12 March 2012 - 03:08 PM, said:

It is kind of odd though that they are also widening the sidewalks along Orange Ave on the Lake Ivanhoe side which runs less than a half of block parallel to this new trail.  A lot of new concrete laid in a not very busy pedestrian area.  It would be nice of they could have some how tied the two together.

I live on Lake Ivanhoe now and I use both areas for running and walking.  I don't understand the reasoning, either.  I have to admit that I have been one of many people that has been using the widened sidewalk on Lake Ivanhoe even though it is not open to the public yet.

[spenser1058]

Sanford studies Lake Monroe water taxi to Deltona


http://www.bizjourna...water-taxi.html

This could be useful and fun if they can pull it off....

[mrh3]

Just got back from Providence and crossed the Q Bridge in New Haven on I-95. Looks like the same idea that the designers of the the Lake Underhill Bridge had in mind. Great simulation with a pic for comparison http://www.i95newhaven.com/. Lake Underhill Bridge http://www.johnweeks...ages/sec07.html

[castorvx]

The Lake Underhill Bridge has always seemed half finished ... the white supports or faux cables or whatever they are look like giant PVC pipes.

Needs lighting or something ... Not really sure.