Earlier this month we reported on the SR50 Lynx study to look at transportation alternatives along the SR 50 corridor.
Bungalower readers were quick to point out that none of the alternatives include Colonial Drive between Interstate 4 and Primrose Ave. Instead the alternatives use Robinson St.
“Why does every ‘Alignment’ skip a core section of SR 50, between Primrose and 1-4? I know they need to somehow route back to the main transit station but skipping the 50/Mills intersection seems like a big mistake,” Kellan Lawing commented.
“Mills 50 is THE CORE of 50 bypassing it is like bypassing one of the beating hearts of our city,” property owner Jorge Boone wrote in a comment.
Based on the feedback they have received Lynx and the study team are working with the Mills 50 District to host an information session tonight to discuss the study, the alignment alternatives and receive input from the community.
“Our technical analysis indicated that this is the area of highest congestion along SR 50, combined with the area that has the least space (public right-of-way) for transit to operate,” Mary Raulerson from Kittelson & Associates who is handling the study told Bungalower.
“We look forward to working with the businesses and Mills 50 Organization to understand their priorities for SR 50 in this area and work with them to determine how to best balance the competing needs for space along SR 50,” she added.
Tonight’s information session will take place at Quantum Leap Winery at 6:00 p.m.
“It is important that this area of our business district be included in the project so Mills 50 can be a part of a connected, walkable, bikeable and transit oriented city,” Mill 50 Executive Director Joanne Grant told Bungalower.
If you can’t make a workshop you can still view all of the documents on the project website and provide your feedback via a survey.
I agree with all of your proposals Graham. There’s one simple solution to the Mills/50 corridor…elevate the route above traffic during that section.
Coming in late to this conversation… but yes, there should be a transit option for the Mills/50 area. There is one major issue: the SR 50 right of way is narrow in that area. Most of these options can potentially work, but unfortunately there just isn’t any space for dedicated lanes unless you remove the parking sports or 1 travel lane in each direction, and I doubt anyone would want that. An on-street mixed-traffic system could work if they implement simple things like fare prepayment and signal prioritization.
Also, they should seriously consider extending Lymmo along Orange Avenue from Florida Hospital to Orlando Health – http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2010/01/18/story1.html This could serve as the perfect parallel to Sunrail with more local stops and greater frequency, as the Sunrail schedule is too infrequent, the trains much too large, and stations too far apart.
Other proposals I’d like to see come through is the Orange Blossom Express commuter train from Eustis to the downtown Orlando Amtrak station (can be a reality if Sunrail proves successful) and the Sunrail spur route to OIA or the Maglev that runs from the Airport to the convention center, International Drive, and Disney. I’m also looking forward to the new OIA inter-modal terminal with a high speed train to Miami.
Other routes the city should look at is the median of the 408 for an east-west commuter train similar to Sunrail and a light rail or BRT route running along the median of Semoran Blvd, the entire length from Apopka to OIA. If all of these options are considered, the Central FL area can have a transit beltway encircling Orlando.
TastyChomps If he reads Bungalower he does 🙂 I do know City and Lynx staff have been made aware of the concerns that it misses Mills50
Bungalower does Mayor Buddy Dyer know this Mills50
I want to add another thing. Although it would be nice to have access to Mills/50 directly from the east-west line, I worry about the language being used from this Kittleson & Associates regarding the “public right of way for transit”.
Basically I would be worried that there is not enough room for a dedicated street car/light rail along this section. Thus the push to get this section included might force the project from what could have been great (street car let’s say) into some “sacrifice” in order to make this alignment work – the whole route becomes just another lynx bus route or express bus. If that happens then we’ve all lost.
Mills 50 needs a good public transit project but I wish robinson st would get one too. One thing is that this transit project is an east-west project. Robinson is a good choice. Seems to me like Mills Park area (Fresh Market) would still not be so accessible by this east-west route along 50.
Ideal option for me would be to continue the Robinson St plan and then make another street car along Mills itself starting from Robinson up to Mills Park or Fl Hosp area. This would more properly serve the Mills Park area and provide good east/west and north/south route placements most of greater downtown could enjoy.
Cable cars should go only on Colonial. Why do they have to go downtown to “Central Station” at all? Colonial is the main east/west viaduct in Orlando. No need to leave that route whatsoever. Too much congestion?! Isn’t that the point?! The failing and to often already failed businesses along Colonial won’t mind the “congestion” that’s for damned sure.
Cable cars up and down Colonial. Why do they have to go downtown to “Central Station” at all? Colonial is the main east/west viaduct in Orlando. No need to leave that route whatsoever. Too much congestion?! Isn’t that the point?! The failing and to often already failed businesses won’t mind the “congestion” that’s for damned sure.
How about, BOTH?
I think Colonial would be more effective than Ronbinson. There is already a huge, community pulse beating at the Mills 50 intersection. It needs the transit support to take it to the next level as far as foot traffic and a more diverse and dynamic public street life.