Florida

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.superiorconstruction.com/in-the-news/superior-lane-joint-venture-begins-construction-on-tampas-westshore-interchange/

The long-awaited project to reconstruct the Westshore Interchange in Tampa ($643 million project) has begun!
Completion date- December 2029

[skatcher]

https://www.superiorconstruction.com/in-the-news/superior-lane-joint-venture-begins-construction-on-tampas-westshore-interchange/

The long-awaited project to reconstruct the Westshore Interchange in Tampa ($643 million project) has begun!
Completion date- December 2029

Jay, thanks for the update!!

So glad I don't have to commute through there anymore 

[Revive 755]

IMO the east Beltway should all be I-895 to avoid having the east beltway-west Beltway thing. Keep I-295 on the west loop and the part from I-95 to FL 9B.

Could always do it similar to St. Louis with an I-210 covering the southwest corner and extending on to 9B and I-295 covering the 9B section and the rest of the loop back to I-10.

[D-Dey65]

I just discovered an interesting road configuration under Interstate 95 and the East Central Regional Rail Trail, specifically the bridge over Aurantia Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/East+Central+Regional+Rail+Trail+-+Aurantia+Road+Trailhead/@28.7292208,-80.888456,489m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x88e74b3e88e634d5:0xdc6c8881edad6883!8m2!3d28.7287911!4d-80.8886432!16s%2Fg%2F11gsn4c7d5?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEyMS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA2N0gBUAM%3D

Do a Google Street view of Aurantia Road itself, near the I-95 bridges, and look back at views of it in the early-2010's and earlier. I think you'll be surprised about the street arrangement there.

[Revive 755]

^ Something special about the trail and/or the underlying ROW that FDOT didn't realign it more to allow shorter bridges, especially for southbound?

[D-Dey65]

When I was getting into Wikipedia for the first time I was finding out some interesting information about a lot of roads, including the roads of Florida. Some of the roads I found out about were State, County, and secondary suffixed alternate routes of both hidden and exposed state roads, including one that became Alachua County Road 25A at one time in Micanopy. Unfortunately, some editors didn't believe this and other routes like this existed. Now I have proof;
https://historicaerials.com/?layer=map&zoom=11&lat=29.506389&lon=-82.281944

It could've been worse, and it was. When I found out the Gunn Highway name historically extended beyond Hillsborough and Pasco CR 587 in Odessa and turned west onto FL 54, some anonymous IP engaged in a fanatical flame war with me and even cursed me out and hurled racial slurs and homophobic accusations at me, and I'm white and straight.

[ElishaGOtis]

When I was getting into Wikipedia for the first time I was finding out some interesting information about a lot of roads, including the roads of Florida. Some of the roads I found out about were State, County, and secondary suffixed alternate routes of both hidden and exposed state roads, including one that became Alachua County Road 25A at one time in Micanopy. Unfortunately, some editors didn't believe this and other routes like this existed. Now I have proof;
https://historicaerials.com/?layer=map&zoom=11&lat=29.506389&lon=-82.281944

Just wait 'till they learn about SR-25S in Gainesville   

It could've been worse, and it was. When I found out the Gunn Highway name historically extended beyond Hillsborough and Pasco CR 587 in Odessa and turned west onto FL 54,

That's interesting! I've always wondered about the unusual route that it takes (cutting over 2 streets, then following what is now SR 589), along with Sheldon (which is somehow CR 589 ) and Linebaugh (which clearly has been realigned as well).

some anonymous IP engaged in a fanatical flame war with me and even cursed me out and hurled racial slurs and homophobic accusations at me, and I'm white and straight.

[skatcher]

It could've been worse, and it was. When I found out the Gunn Highway name historically extended beyond Hillsborough and Pasco CR 587 in Odessa and turned west onto FL 54,

That's interesting! I've always wondered about the unusual route that it takes (cutting over 2 streets, then following what is now SR 589), along with Sheldon (which is somehow CR 589 ) and Linebaugh (which clearly has been realigned as well).

Before Citrus Park Mall was built in the mid-late 90s, Sheldon Rd took a 90 degree curve to the east and followed what is now Citrus Park Dr to Gunn Hwy. You could continue straight on Gunn Hwy east towards Carrollwood, or turn left on Gunn Hwy north towards Citrus Park. Gunn Hwy met Ehrlich Rd in Citrus Park, and you could only turn right to go east on Ehrlich Rd towards Carrollwood or turn left to continue on Gunn Hwy north towards Odessa, even though you were headed west. Where Gunn Hwy currently meets Sheldon Rd used to just be a 90 degree curve to turn Gunn Hwy towards the north. The renaming of the east-west section of Sheldon Rd to Citrus Park Dr and the extension of Sheldon Rd north to Gunn Hwy happened due to the mall being built.

I do remember in the late 90s Gunn Hwy still being labeled on some maps as following 54 west from Odessa. I'm unsure if that designation ended at Little Rd or if it extended further into Elfers.

Hillsborough County does an overall poor job numbering county roads; I'm unsure if Sheldon Rd actually is numbered out in the field. Nobody today would even know CR 589 follows the old routing of Sheldon Rd along the current Citrus Park Dr to Gunn Hwy anymore.

[D-Dey65]

Oh, no. I've actually been called the N-word before, and by a young Afro-American boy of all people. The kid tried to insult me over some dumb thing, and I easily deflected his insult with logic and reason. Then he took a swing at me, missed, and hit his head on a doorknob. He vowed revenge and used that infamous racial slur on me.

[CoreySamson]

The 795 designation was proposed since FL 9B continues past Interstate 95 to St. Johns Parkway South.

I'm curious... is FL 9B/I-795 ever supposed to connect up with the First Coast Expressway in any way?

[ElishaGOtis]

The 795 designation was proposed since FL 9B continues past Interstate 95 to St. Johns Parkway South.

I'm curious... is FL 9B/I-795 ever supposed to connect up with the First Coast Expressway in any way?

No

[The Ghostbuster]

There's too much development in the way of making a FL 9B/FL 23 connection.

[skatcher]

There's too much development in the way of making a FL 9B/FL 23 connection.

Even without the development, is there a need to connect the two freeways (outside of using I-95 as a connector)? I can't imagine there being that much demand for travel between Green Cove Springs and JAX Beaches.

If you want to utilize this connection for long distance traffic heading to/from JAX Beaches, it is completely unrealistic for travelers coming down the I-10 corridor. FL 23 will be a 46 mile swing from end to end, all tolled, plus about another 15 miles to follow I-95 to FL 9B back to where it ends at I-295 and continuing on to Butler Blvd. That's 61 miles!!! Just taking I-10 to I-295 between 23 & Butler is 35 miles, and simply taking I-10 to I-95 down to Butler over to I-295 is less than 30 miles.

If you're coming up 301 out of Ocala and heading out to JAX Beaches, you're either going to go all the way up to Baldwin and pick up I-10, or leave the highway in Hawthorne and take FL 20 out to Palatka. Drivers currently would continue across the river and take FL 207 north to I-95 north to the beaches. Once the section of FL 23 into St. John's County is complete, then I could see some traffic heading north out of Palatka on US 27 and then picking up FL 23 in Green Cove Springs.

Just like with local demand between Green Cove Springs and the coast, I don't think the amount of demand would necessitate a continuation of FL 9B when I-95 is only a few miles further east. If anything, a potential widening of I-95 to either 8 or 10 lanes between 23 & 9B would be MUCH less expensive than building an extension of 9B along an unbuilt corridor.

Finally, not all the beach traffic coming from points south or southwest will even use Butler (or Beach, or Atlantic) to get across from the I-95/I-295 corridors; a lot of people would take CR 210 over to Ponte Vedra Beach to pick up A1A (maybe not when the PGA is in town though).

[D-Dey65]

Has anybody seen what has been happening to FL 40 in Ocala National Forest and Silver Springs State Park?
https://www.cflroads.com/project/451415-3

[edwaleni]

The 795 designation was proposed since FL 9B continues past Interstate 95 to St. Johns Parkway South.

I'm curious... is FL 9B/I-795 ever supposed to connect up with the First Coast Expressway in any way?

No

They will be connected, just not with a dedicated freeway style ROW.

St Johns Parkway (where 9B ends) continues south and will intersect with the FCE in the Silverleaf development.

In fact the exit facility with the FCE is currently under construction today.

The St Johns County Highway Department did reserve enough ROW to build out an expressway if they so wanted, but it appears they are allowing retail zoning to be built along it. If they changed their minds, (and they are good at that) they would have to build Texas style auxiliary lanes to allow people to access the road side retail.

[D-Dey65]

What's with Exit 278 on Interstate 95 north of Ormond Beach?
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.396428,-81.160057,3867m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
The southbound off and on-ramps are built in a perfectly formal manner, but the northbound off and on-ramps ae extended way out from the main road, like FDOT is either planning to add loop ramps from the northbound lanes, or demolished them a long time ago, and did a really good job of hiding their existence with greenery.

[ElishaGOtis]

What's with Exit 278 on Interstate 95 north of Ormond Beach?
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.396428,-81.160057,3867m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
The southbound off and on-ramps are built in a perfectly formal manner, but the northbound off and on-ramps ae extended way out from the main road, like FDOT is either planning to add loop ramps from the northbound lanes, or demolished them a long time ago, and did a really good job of hiding their existence with greenery.

Drainage & retention ponds if I had to guess...

EDIT: apparently there were 2 loop ramps there at one point, with retention ponds between them, looking at the 1983 aerial. https://www.historicaerials.com/location/29.40105070739229/-81.1529276136659/1983/

[D-Dey65]

Perhaps some might think this belongs on the mass transit board, but since it involves railroad crossings, I'm going to add it here.

The Tri-Rail tracks need grade elimination projects at specific railroad crossings, more than others;
*Over Florida State Road 870, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 32 in Fort Lauderdale.
*Over West Copans Road, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 38 in Pompano Beach.
*Over West Palmetto Parks Road, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 44 in Boca Raton.
*Possibly over Florida State Road 794, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 and Northwest 8th Avenue at Exit 48 in Boca Raton.
*Over Linton Boulevard due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 51 in Delray Beach.
*Over Florida State Road 806, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 52 in Delray Beach.
*Over Sixth Avenue South due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 63 in Lake Worth Beach.

Other grade crossings are needed too (most notably Hollywood Boulevard/FL 820 near Exit 19 on I-95), but I'm not entirely sure how they could be built.

[Rothman]

Perhaps some might think this belongs on the mass transit board, but since it involves railroad crossings, I'm going to add it here.

The Tri-Rail tracks need grade elimination projects at specific railroad crossings, more than others;
*Over Florida State Road 870, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 32 in Fort Lauderdale.
*Over West Copans Road, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 38 in Pompano Beach.
*Over West Palmetto Parks Road, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 44 in Boca Raton.
*Possibly over Florida State Road 794, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 and Northwest 8th Avenue at Exit 48 in Boca Raton.
*Over Linton Boulevard due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 51 in Delray Beach.
*Over Florida State Road 806, due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 52 in Delray Beach.
*Over Sixth Avenue South due to its close proximity to the interchange with I-95 at Exit 63 in Lake Worth Beach.

Other grade crossings are needed too (most notably Hollywood Boulevard/FL 820 near Exit 19 on I-95), but I'm not entirely sure how they could be built.

Perhaps the "Single Ideas..." thread...

[VTGoose]

We just got back on Saturday from another Mountains to the Sea trip from Virginia to St. Petersburg. As seems to be usual, no matter what time of day or time of year, we hit backed-up, slow, stopped traffic on I-75 north just south of Wildwood. On this trip, we left around 2:30 p.m., other trips we usually leave in the morning, but always seem to hit this traffic mess starting just south of the Turnpike junction. This trip, the slowdown extended close to Ocala, other times it clears out not to far beyond Wildwood. So, why? Despite the rebuilding of that junction, are there not enough lanes extending far enough north to handle the traffic from both highways coming together? Or is it just bad drivers who cause collisions that block lanes and block lanes? The problem is there is no good way to avoid it. By the time Waze alerts to a problem, the Wildwood exit is the alternative route and its just as jammed. If one does go that way, the routing (which we have taken) is on two-lane country roads since at that point U.S. 301 is too far east to be an alternative.

Bruce in Blacksburg

[Beltway]

The 795 designation was proposed since FL 9B continues past Interstate 95 to St. Johns Parkway South.

But if only being designated only to I-95 it makes more sense.
IMO the east Beltway should all be I-895 to avoid having the east beltway-west Beltway thing. Keep I-295 on the west loop and the part from I-95 to FL 9B.

But for some users the loop is south beltway or north beltway -- they are bypassing Jax east-west. For them it would have two separate numbers.

[Beltway]

The original section by NASA Causeway was originally the MILA Access Road, which went straight to the tracking station I worked at KSC. When they built Space Commerce Way, they added an intersection to the remainder of the access road. The S-Band Collimation Tower is the only reminder that the site existed (due to bald eagles nesting on the top). I expect Blue Origin to eventually absorb the area of the old site.

Speaking of the NASA Causeway, the new NASA Causeway bridge is complete, and both replacement spans are now open to traffic. Florida announced the project's completion months ahead of schedule in March 2025. The new structures are taller, wider fixed spans (about 4,000 feet each), eliminating drawbridge openings and supporting oversized space‑industry transport.

The old NASA Causeway bridges were wearing out, both structurally and operationally. Their age, deficiencies, and limitations made full replacement the only viable long‑term solution.

I will have to check it out when I am down there for a high school reunion in Melbourne in late summer.

[LilianaUwU]

are there dolphins on the new bridge

[Max Rockatansky]

are there dolphins on the new bridge

No, Florida is manatee territory.  They've been known to come to blows with dolphins over bridges.

[skatcher]

We just got back on Saturday from another Mountains to the Sea trip from Virginia to St. Petersburg. As seems to be usual, no matter what time of day or time of year, we hit backed-up, slow, stopped traffic on I-75 north just south of Wildwood. On this trip, we left around 2:30 p.m., other trips we usually leave in the morning, but always seem to hit this traffic mess starting just south of the Turnpike junction. This trip, the slowdown extended close to Ocala, other times it clears out not to far beyond Wildwood. So, why? Despite the rebuilding of that junction, are there not enough lanes extending far enough north to handle the traffic from both highways coming together? Or is it just bad drivers who cause collisions that block lanes and block lanes? The problem is there is no good way to avoid it. By the time Waze alerts to a problem, the Wildwood exit is the alternative route and its just as jammed. If one does go that way, the routing (which we have taken) is on two-lane country roads since at that point U.S. 301 is too far east to be an alternative.

Bruce in Blacksburg

Bruce,

Welcome to the joys of escaping from the Tampa Bay area!! I've lived here for 30 years, and I have this down to a science.

The issue with the Wildwood to Ocala stretch of I-75 is not confined to the northbound direction. I would venture to say about 80% of freight going through the state converges on the 30 mile segment of I-75 between the Turnpike and FL 326. Everything coming into the state from I-75 or I-10 and heading to the populated areas of the peninsula already meet up in Lake City, then the bulk of freight traffic coming from I-95 heading to the Gulf Coast (greater Tampa Bay area to Naples) is merging in just before Ocala. At Wildwood, the traffic will split, with Gulf Coast freight heading down I-75, and Orlando and South Florida freight taking the Turnpike. Then these carriers turn around with a load heading out of the state, and 80% of them are converging on the same stretch of I-75 on their way north.

Throw in a large amount of car and local commercial traffic, and it exacerbates the chokepoint, as you have people weaving in and out of traffic at extreme speeds, drivers unfamiliar with the area being timid and unsure where they're trying to get to, and the local cargo vans and box trucks also trying to coexist in this 30 mile stretch.

There are actually a variety of ways to go to avoid getting caught in the Wildwood to Ocala traffic. If I can, I try to get on the road by 4AM; this gets me past Tampa before rush hour, through the Wildwood and Ocala areas before traffic starts, and also Gainesville (if I'm not already cutting over to US 301 north of Ocala) before traffic there picks up too! I'm figuring you're probably heading over to I-95, picking it up near JAX Airport or in Yulee, so your bests bets for cutting over to US 301 are at US 27 in Ocala or the FL331/FL 24 corridor from Gainesville to Waldo. I would not recommend cutting over on FL 326, as there are truck stops on all 4 corners of the interchange with I-75, and you can be waiting up to 10-15 minutes just getting down the off ramp.

If leaving that early isn't your style, you can always take the Veterans/Suncoast up to the end between Crystal River & Beverly Hills, then taking CR 486 out to FL 200 in Hernando. FL 200 beelines straight to Ocala, but the last 10 miles before you get to I-75 are a lot of stoplights and local traffic. If you have some time to kill, taking a leisurely drive up US 41 in Hernando and Citrus counties can be another alternative.

Another option is taking I-75 out of Tampa, but going east on FL 50 from Brooksville over to Groveland, then picking up FL 19 and taking that all the way up to Palatka. There is a lot of old school natural Florida beauty on this highway, from the rolling hills of Lake County to the heart of Ocala National Forest. From Palatka, you can either cross the river in Palatka and take FL 207 north to I-95 near St. Augustine, take US 17 up to Green Cove Springs and cross the river into St. John's county and follow the eastern shore of the river up to JAX, or take US 17 along the western shore of the river up to the JAX area.

If you take I-75 into GA, you can still avoid everything south of I-10 by taking the Vets/Suncoast up to FL 44 in Crystal River, cutting over to US 19, and taking that north. US 129 out of Chiefland or FL 349 out of Old Town will lead you back to I-75 near Jasper, or you can continue north on US 19 all the way into GA. US 19 is a 4 lane (mostly) divided highway all the way up to Atlanta.

I encourage you to try some of these routes out, you never know which one(s) might be the best for you!!