FIRST COAST COMMUTER RAIL TOD STUDY | EXISTING CONDITIONS
FIRST COAST COMMUTER RAIL TOD STUDY | EXISTING CONDITIONS
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PLAN/PROJECT NAME
YEAR
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
This document combined Short Range Transportation Enhancement Plan and a Long Range Rapid Transit Transportation Plan to “provide for a fast, efficient suburban oriented rapid transportation system.” Original study specific to commuter rail based on prior studies including the BRT System studies, and the region’s LRTPs. Initially reviewed 9 existing rail corridors, reducing to evaluation of 6 corridors, then selected 3 to advance: - Southeast - Downtown Jacksonville to St. Augustine - Southwest - Downtown Jacksonville to Green Cove Springs - North - Downtown Jacksonville to Yulee
Mass Transit Blueprint for the Future/Long Range Corridor and Park and Ride Study- Phase II
1998
Commuter Rail Feasibility Study
2009
Figure 3-3: PREVIOUS STUDIES
2019 Recognizing the continual growth and increased demand along the Interstate 95 (I-95) and US-1 north- south corridors, and the need for regional multimodal mobility options, the JTA identified the First Coast Commuter Rail Project (FCCR), recommitting to exploring the potential implementation of a 38-mile commuter rail corridor along the existing FEC railway, from St. Augustine to Downtown Jacksonville. As a result, the JTA completed a Transit Concept and Alternatives Review (TCAR) for the Southeast Commuter Rail Corridor in 2019, to update key data along the corridor in compliance with the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT’s) project readiness TCAR analysis process. The TCAR Alternatives Analysis methodologies establish project purpose and need for continued assessment. The TCAR Study examined travel times as a key contributing factor to variable commuting experiences. The TCAR Study provided a more detailed assessment of the rail infrastructure, land values as well as land use and right-of-way requirements, than conducted in prior studies. In the TCAR Study, the JTA also introduced the concept specifying commuter rail as a necessary component of a future Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) strategy when the I-95 corridor would undergo a major reconstruction in 2023. The study examined four potential commuter rail stations, light maintenance facility locations, ridership and developed rough order of magnitude costs. The capital cost at the time was estimated to be $295,875,000 with an annual operating cost estimated at $25,640,000. As a companion study, the JTA also commissioned a Southeast Commuter Rail Corridor Cost Study to provide a more focused review of preliminary capital, operating and maintenance costs associated with the development of the commuter rail corridor. Additionally, to share project information with agencies and stakeholders, a map book was developed to highlight land use and connectivity features at the candidate rail transit station locations along the corridor.
2020 Subsequent to the TCAR Study, the JTA advanced the evaluation of the Southeast Commuter Rail Corridor through the First Coast Commuter Rail Preliminary Environmental Study in 2020. This study entailed a preliminary environmental screening process, through the FDOT’s Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) tool, to initiate more detailed review by permitting agencies. This study phase also initiated preliminary environmental study through examination of critical factors recognized by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), essential to identifying any social, environmental, or cultural features that may be impacted, and necessary to meet eligibility for future state and federal funding. While the entire corridor was evaluated, the study focused on examining environmental conditions, land use and development activity around the four potential stations: JRTC , Racetrack Road , Avenues Walk and King Street. The ETDM review recommended future environmental analysis, such as a wetland study, and a Natural Resource Evaluation (NRE) be conducted as the project development process advances. This study also highlighted the ongoing coordination by JTA with agencies and stakeholders, including the FDOT, St. Johns County, the cities of Jacksonville and St. Augustine, as well as FEC railway representatives. The environmental study concluded that a Class of Action (COA) of Categorical Exclusion would be recommended pending the findings of No or Minimal Impact. The JTA indicated that the proposed commuter project as currently envisioned along the existing FEC rail corridor, does not anticipate significant impacts to the natural or built environment based on the preliminary screening analysis and agency assessments. 2021 The most recent commuter rail planning effort leading up to this FCCR TOD Station Area Study was the development of the I-95 MOT Strategy in 2021. The proposed MOT strategy envisioned commuter rail as a mitigation approach to provide alternate transportation
Prioritized corridors for detailed study Top priority- Southeast
Commuter Rail Feasibility Study - Phase II
2013
Identifies a strategy for potential commuter rail and express bus stations sitting methodology. Includes general land use description and aerial photography images of potential sites along the corridor. Phase III in commuter rail evaluation process. Defines readiness of Southeast Corridor for implementation by analyzing detailed growth, ridership, cost, and funding factors. 11x17 map book of potential station exhibits to identify land use and connectivity to adjacent transportation facilities. Conducted Alternatives Analysis and reviewed project readiness for advancement into the FTA’s Project Development (PD) phase. Proposed operating plan, ridership estimates and costs are presented. Provides preliminary cost estimates for capital, operating and maintenance costs. Station-related costs not included. Preliminary environmental screening through FDOT ETDM tool to document permitting agency reviews and initiated NEPA review process to advance project readiness for future funding. Presents a mitigation strategy to provide transportation service options during future multiple construction projects along the I-95 corridor to the south of Downtown Jacksonville.
Southeast Corridor Commuter Transit Service - Station Locations Study
2015
Southeast Corridor Commuter Rail Service Study - Project Alternatives Summary Report
2016
Southeast Commuter Rail St. Augustine to Jacksonville - Potential Station Exhibits
2019
Southeast Commuter Rail TCAR Study
2019
Southeast Commuter Rail Cost Study
2019
Southeast Commuter Rail Pre PD&E Study: Preliminary Environmental Study
2020
I-95 Maintenance of Traffic Strategy
2021
Table 3-1: EVOLUTION OF COMMUTER RAIL STUDIES
facilities and services when multiple construction projects, from International Golf Parkway near St. Augustine in St. Johns County, north to Downtown Jacksonville, will commence along the I-95 corridor in 2023. A similar strategy was undertaken in South Florida as Tri-Rail commuter rail service emerged during I-95 construction in South Florida. Tri-Rail, operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), links Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach,
adjacent to the I-95 corridor, and has been in operation for more than 30 years. Key milestones of the plans and studies demonstrating the evolution of the JTA’s assessment of commuter rail as a future regional mobility option are illustrated in Figure 3-1through Figure 3-3 and outlined in Table 3-1.
FCCR TOD
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