REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA CREATING REGIONAL CONNECTIONS

Transcription

1 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA CREATING REGIONAL CONNECTIONS

2 Contents Introduction... 1 Summary... 1 History... 2 Planning Process... 4 Background... 4 Goals, Objectives and Conceptual Measures... 4 Regional Transportation Network... 5 Process for Evaluation of Projects of Regional Significance... 8 Planning Approach... 8 Regional Network... 8 Performance Measures... 9 Projects Considered... 9 Milestones... 9 Priority Projects Priority Corridors Priority Projects Road Capacity Projects Transit Capacity Trails Freight Plan Consistency Funding Options Sales and Gas Taxes Summary Figures Figure 1. Regional Transportation Network... 6 Figure 2. Priority Corridors and Projects Tables Table 1. Regional Transportation Network... 7 Table 2. Priority Projects by Mode Table 3. Priority Projects Table 4. County Optional Local Sales and Gas Taxes Collected Table 5. County Optional Taxes that Could Be Collected Table 6. County Actions Required to Levy Taxes Table 7. Allowed Uses for Taxes Table 8. Potential Revenue from New Taxes... 23

3 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 1 Introduction Summary After more than two years of careful planning and regional coordination, the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission completed this Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan. This plan identifies the projects of regional significance that the Commission finds to have the greatest impact on our region s economic competitiveness and quality of life. The plan also identifies specific projects for implementation and identifies potential funding to support implementation. The northeast Florida region consisting of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns County. The region has a diverse and robust transportation network that rivals any region in Florida. Over one and a half million residents and more than six million visitors per year are served by more than 1,000 miles of state highways and 72,800 miles of local roads. Our region s highways, ports and railroads move more than 190,000 million tons of goods each year. Seven independent public transit operators, one in each regional county, provide nearly 77 million transit passenger trips each year. 1 This Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan builds on work completed as part of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization s (TPO) Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan. This cooperative planning effort minimizes public expense, and adds to the quality of the plan, consistent with the provisions of Chapter (1) (a). The six regional counties population projected to grow to nearly 2 million by the year This rate of growth and number of residents strongly indicate that regional approaches to transportation investment are needed to address the $20 billion shortfall in funding identified in the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). After the fiscally unconstrained LRTP, which covers all six regional counties, was adopted by the TPO, a second plan was developed to reflect real-world fiscal constraints. This Cost Feasible Plan (CFP) covers only the four counties included in the TPO and only those projects for which funding can be clearly identified through This Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan (RMTP) identifies the top regional priorities for all six regional counties that were not included in the CFP due to fiscal constraints, were not included in the LRTP, or were located in Baker or Putnam Counties which are outside the TPO area. The RMTP identifies nearly $5.5 billion of priority projects, including $4.4 1 Data provided from the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan.

4 PAGE 2 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN billion in highways, $849 million in transit, $224 million in freight and $16 million in trails. Alternatives identified to advance the funding for these RMTP projects include local sales and gas taxes that can be used for transportation but are currently not approved by county governments within the region. A regional total of more than $2.2 billion could be generated between 2021 and 2040 if all statutorily authorized sales and gas taxes were enacted. While this level of taxation is not recommended, or even contemplated as a part of this plan, it demonstrates that there are available avenues to address regional transportation priorities. Other potential sources of funding included tolls, tax increment financing, taxes on vehicle miles traveled and competitive grants. Additional analysis of the funding opportunities is being completed in parallel with this study. History In 2010 the Florida Legislature created the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Study Commission in response to a regional consensus that transportation planning, funding, implementation and operation in northeast Florida could benefit from a more regional perspective. This Study Commission worked for over two years to develop a specific framework within which this vision could be realized. Two important background documents were developed and adopted by the adopted: The Planning Committee Report and the Governance Committee Report. These documents have become a foundation and reference to the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission. In December, 2012 the Study Commission produced a Final Report to the legislature. That Final Report recommended that a Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission be created and charged with specific responsibilities necessary to carrying the regional vision forward toward implementation. The 2013 Florida Legislature responded by enacting Chapter , s. 343 Part I F.S., a copy of which is attached for reference. This legislation is substantially the same as that recommended in the Study Commission s Final Report. For the reader that wishes to delve into this history, all three Study Commission reports can be accessed on the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission website: nefrtc.com. A few provisions of Chapter 343 Part I, Florida Statutes, are worthy of specific attention because they provide context for the subdsequent development of this Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan: (1) The express purposes of the commission are to improve mobility and expand multimodal transportation options for persons and freight throughout the six-county North Florida region (1) (a) & (b) specify that the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission Use data contained in the Long Range Transportation Plan developed by the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization and other data to develop a multimodal and prioritiaed plan consisting of projects of regional significance and an implementation

5 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 3 plan that identifies available but not yet imposed, and potentially developable, sources of funding to execute the regional transportation plan. The remainder of sets forth the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission's powers and duties defines transportation projects of regional significance for the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission requires close coordination of the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission s plan with other agencies sets forth specific requirements for public meetings and hearings by the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission specifies that Chapter 343 Part I, Florida Statutes, will be repealed in its entirety, and thus the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission will cease to exist on November 30, 2018 unless: o (1) The Commission has adopted the regional transportation plan and implementation plan, and at least Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns Counties have adopted resolutions endorsing such plans; and o (2) Adequate funding sources to carry out the initial phases of such plans have been secured.

6 PAGE 4 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN Planning Process Background The planning process followed by the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission was based largely on the recommendation of the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Study Commission (Study Commission). These recommendations may be reviewed in full detail by referencing the Study Commission s Planning Committee report on the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission web site: nefrtc.com. The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission updated, refined and implemented the process as necessary to best accomplish the requirements established by Chapter 343 Part 1, F.S. and serve the transportation needs of the six regional counties. Goals, Objectives and Conceptual Measures The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission adopted five goals to guide the plan: Economic Competitiveness: Promote a diversified and vibrant regional economy Mobility: Expand the range of transportation options available in the region to provide efficient mobility for people and goods between activity centers, including residential, employment, and mixed-use centers Connectivity: Create efficient connectivity within the region, and with state, national and global economies Integrated Planning: Integrate regional land use, transportation and natural resource plans to promote sustainable, safe, and livable communities Implementation Resources: Maximize resources to implement a regional transportation system Fifteen supporting objectives were developed that addressed these goals. Measures of effectiveness were then identified to quantify accomplishment of each objective.

7 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 5 Regional Transportation Network Figure 1 and Table 1 on the following pages summarize the regional transportation network adopted by the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission. The following modes are included: Regional Public Transportation Regional bus Regional passenger rail Regional park and ride Regional roadways Freeway/Interstate Toll facilities/managed lanes Highway/arterial Regional intermodal facilities Waterways and harbors Airports Freight rail Intermodal Freight Transfer Facilities Ports and port connectors The Mayport Ferry Bicycle and pedestrian facilities Bicycle and pedestrian facilities Regional trails

8 PAGE 6 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN Figure 1. Regional Transportation Network

9 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 7 North / South Corridor Jacksonville / Yulee / Georgia Table1. Regional Transportation Network Regional Corridors Map Segment Principal Facilities 1 Supporting Facilities 2 RC1A I-95, CSX (Kingsland) US 17 North / South Corridor Jacksonville / St Augustine North / South Corridor Jacksonville / St Augustine West Jacksonville / Macclenny / I-75 River Southwest Jacksonville / Green Cove Springs / Palatka / Deland RC1B-1 I-95, FEC US 1 South, CR 2209 RC1B-2 CR 2209 I-95, FEC, US 1 RC2 I-10, CSX (Tallahassee) US 90, Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville Baldwin Trail RC3 US 17, SR 21 Blanding Boulevard, CSX (Sanford) Southwest Orange Park/ Camp Blanding / Keystone Heights / Gainesville RC4 SR 21 Blanding Boulevard, SR 16 Outer Beltway RC5 SR 23, First Coast Expressway Southern Crossing 1 St. Augustine / Palatka / Gainesville RC6 SR 207, SR 20 SR 207 Rail to Trail/St. Johns River to Sea Loop Outer Corridor Fernandina Beach / Callahan / Gainesville Beach E/W Jacksonville / Beaches / Ponte Vedra RC7 RC8 US301, SR 200, CSX (Wildwood), CSX (Fernandina) SR 202 J. T. Butler Boulevard International Palatka/Green Cove Springs/Port of Jacksonville/Port of Fernandina/Atlantic Ocean RC9 St. Johns River, St. Mary s River, Atlantic Ocean, associated marine terminals Inner Beltway RC10 I-295 SR 105 Heckscher Drive Northwest 1 Jacksonville / Callahan / Georgia Northwest 2 Callahan / Georgia (NS RR) East West 1 Ponte Vedra / Green Cove Springs / Gainesville RC11A RC11B RC12A US 1 North, CSX (Nahunta), NS Mainline NS Mainline CR 210, Future Outer Beltway, SR16 (Clay Co.) East West 2 St. Augustine / Green Cove Springs / Gainesville Coastal Fernandina Beach / St. Augustine Southern Crossing 2 Palatka / Starke RC12B SR16 (St. Johns Co.), Future Outer Beltway, SR 16 (Clay Co.) RC13 SR A1A, Mayport Ferry East Coast Greenway/ St. Johns River to Sea Loop RC14 SR100, SR 20 Northeast Florida Trail Loop RC6/RC14 CR 207, SR 100 Notes are provided on the next page.

10 PAGE 8 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 1 Principal Facilities Principal facilities are defined as those facilities within a regional corridor that provide: a high level of inter-county or inter-regional travel, the primary connection between activity centers or municipalities, a high percentage of freight within the corridor, a primary connection to marine, aviation or intermodal facilities, and/or a regional emergency evacuation route. 2 Supporting Facilities Supporting facilities are defined as those facilities in a regional corridor that: Supports or enhances the functionality of the Principal Facilities in the corridor, and/or Enhances access or connectivity between activity, employment or growth centers and Principal Facility. Process for Evaluation of Projects of Regional Significance The Study Commission produced a process to ensure that only projects that can demonstrate a regional benefit by facilitating mobility, and most importantly support access to labor markets and jobs, will be eligible. Maintaining focus on the corridors and the regional transportation network allows for: better coordination of planning and implementation at a regional scale, championing regionally significant projects and seeking implementation funding for priorities. The process included establishing the regional network and applying the goals, objectives and performance measures to the projects identified in the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan as needs to rank the projects for selection. An estimate of the revenues available for funding projects within the regional network would then be prepared and a financial feasibility test would be used to identify specific fundable projects. Planning Approach Regional Network The following changes were made to the regional network when compared to the Regional Transportation Study Commission s final recommendations. The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission identified regional transit as a primary objective. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority and other regional transportation for the disadvantage agencies provide services in Northeast Florida. The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission saw value added by coordinating local transit these services regionally to improve service availability and efficiencies. The Northeast Florida Loop regional trail was added. Corridor RC7 was modified to include the North Rail Corridor connecting CSX Wildwood and CSX Fernandina and the Regional Intermodal Facility. It is noted that, while the location of the intermodal freight facility is anticipated to be in or near Corridor RC7, its exact location is not known.

11 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 9 The RC1B corridor was divided into the facilities (a) along I-95, US 1 and FEC and (b) CR 2209 because of the distinctive nature of the two corridors. Performance Measures The following performance measures were selected by the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission for use in prioritizing corridors. These performance measures are consistent with the conceptual measures and the legislatively required criteria. Carry a significant amount of inter-county or inter-regional travel Serve as a primary connection between activity centers or municipalities Move a significant percentage of freight within the corridor Be a primary connection to marine, aviation or intermodal facilities Serve as a regional emergency evacuation route Support or enhance the functionality of another identified regional facility Is located on a regional corridor A qualitative assessment of the compliance with each criterion was used. If the corridor met one of these criteria, it received a score of one. The total number of criteria satisfied was used to develop the score for ranking each corridor. Projects Considered The projects identified as needs along the Regional Transportation Network Corridors within the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan were considered candidate projects for prioritization by the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission. Projects that were included in the adopted Cost Feasible Plan were excluded since funding for these projects was considered reliable and eminent. Milestones Nearly two years of coordination occurred through the planning process and the major milestones associated with this plan development are summarized below. In the other meetings of the commission, regular discussion occurred regarding the Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan. 10/30/2013 This was the initial meeting of the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission and the agenda focused on the organization and purpose of the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission.

12 PAGE 10 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 5/28/2014 During the meeting an overview of the planning process used in the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan was provided. A summary of the relationship between the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, the Cost Feasible Plan and the recommendations of the Study Commission was presented to and discussed by the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission Board. Examples of ranking criteria from the Study Commission were reviewed by the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission Board. 10/22/2014 An initial ranking of all of the projects included in the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan using the Study Commission Recommendations was provided. Clear definitions for the criteria were discussed. For example, the characteristics by which a location would be considered an activity center. The final performance measures used in prioritizing projects were adopted and were summarized earlier in this report. 6/24/2015 An initial ranking of the priority corridors, funding status and costs for each of the projects identified in the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan was presented. A summary of the financial analysis indicating the funding capacity that is available if unauthorized sales and gas taxes could be used to generate revenue for funding additional projects by the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission was also presented. 7/22/2015 A revised ranking of the regional corridors was presented. This ranking was not based on the projects that were previously identified as needs, but the corridor s ranking considering the Study Commission s and legislatively required criteria. In this meeting the priority corridors and the recommended projects were adopted by the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission pending approval and inclusion of the recommendations of a Regional Transit Action Plan in the final report. The implementation plan is summarized in the next section.

13 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 11 Priority Projects Priority Corridors Using the planning process outlined in the previous section, the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission selected 13 corridors and ranked them in priority order: 1. RC 5 - First Coast Expressway 2. RC 3 - River Southwest 3. RC2 - Gateway West 4. RC4 - Future Corridor Jacksonville to Tampa 5. RC1B - Gateway South (US 1 6. RC7 - North Rail Corridor 7. RC1A - Gateway North 8. RC 4/RC 10 - Middleburg to I RC1B CR Regional Intermodal Logistics Center 11. RC 6 - Northeast Florida Loop Trail 12. Coordinated Regional Transit 13. RC9 - St. Johns Ferry

14 PAGE 12 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN Priority Projects The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission s projects identified within the priority corridors include roadway capacity, transit capacity, trails and freight improvements as summarized below with the costs in millions of dollars. The projects are grouped by mode below: The # to the left reflects each project s overall priority rank. The projects were separated into two groups. Projects that were identified as priorities for advocacy only and projects where more detailed funding analysis will be performed. Table 2. Priority Corridors by Mode Priority Project Advocacy Only Roadway Capacity 1 First Coast Expressway, $1.951 billion 2 US 17 from West of Dunn Creek Bridge to Satsuma (Putnam County), Funding Analysis $143 million 3 I-10/US 90 Parallel Reliever (Baker County), $7 million 4 Future Corridor (Jacksonville Tampa), $2,000 million 5 US 1 from SR 313 to Racetrack Road (St. Johns County), $84 million 8 US 17 Harts Road to SR 200 (Jacksonville to Yulee), $3 million 10 SR 21 Blanding Boulevard in Clay County, $34 million 12 CR 2209 in St. Johns County, $162 million Transit Capacity 6 Southeast Commuter Rail (St. Augustine to Jacksonville), $255 million 9 Southwest Commuter Rail (Green Cove Springs to Jacksonville), $294 million 11 North Commuter Rail (Yulee to Jacksonville), $271 million 15 Coordinated Regional Transit Services, to be determined 16 St. Johns River Ferry, $29 million Trails 14 Northeast Florida Loop Trail, $16 million Freight 7 North Rail Corridor, $159 million 13 Regional Intermodal Logistics Center, $65 million The location of each projects are shown in Figure 2 on the next page with the exception of #13 Regional Intermodal Logistics Center. The location has not been determined. #15 Coordinated Regional Transit Services. These are services that would address all regions and not shown on the map.

15 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 13 Figure 2. Priority Corridors and Projects

16 PAGE 14 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN Road Capacity Projects The following summarize each of the projects. Table 3 on the next pages summarizes the projects that were identified within each of the regional priorities and the number of the regional criteria used to determine the priority ranking of the projects. SR 23 First Coast Expressway The First Coast Expressway is a new multi-lane limited access toll facility that will eventually connect Interstate 95 (I-95) in northern St. Johns County to Interstate 10 (I-10) in western Duval County. The northern section from SR 21 Blanding Boulevard in Clay County to I-10 in Duval County is currently under construction, scheduled for completion in summer The southern section from I-95 in St. Johns County to SR 21 Blanding Boulevard in Clay County is currently in the preliminary design phase. The project includes a new bridge over the St. Johns River. The total costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $1.951 billion. US 17 from West of Dunn Creek Bridge to Satsuma (Putnam County) This project will widen US 17 to provide four-lane access into and out of Putnam County from the south. Putnam County has struggled for many years to create regional four-lane access from all four points of the compass: West, north and east are either complete or programed for construction. This project addresses the southern connection. The total costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $143 million. I-10/US 90 Parallel Reliever (Baker County) This project will construct a new road parallel to US 90 to serve commercial development and relieve truck traffic in the immediate Macclenny area. The total costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $7 million. Future Corridor (Jacksonville Tampa) This project will provide better connectivity between Tampa Bay and Northeast Florida, two large regions that are not well or efficiently connected today. The study will positively impact the northeast Florida region when it explores enhanced connectivity between Gainesville/Ocala and the Jacksonville area, along with a possible new connection between the Suncoast Parkway and I-75 in the Gainesville/Ocala area, The corridor is being studied by FDOT, and is unusually long term: The study itself may last two years and implementation of its recommendations is expected to take decades. Early focus will be on the southern portion of this large corridor, addressing safety and congestion concerns along Interstate 75 north of Wildwood and improved connectivity potential through extension of the Suncoast Parkway or Florida s Turnpike in the southern portion of the study area. The total costs for completion of this project within Northeast Florida are estimated to be $2.0 billion.

17 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 15 Corridor Facility From To Type Table 3. Priority Projects Advocacy Projects RC5 SR 23 First Coast Expressway SR 21 Blanding Boulevard I-95 New 4 Lane Road $1,951 6 FC Future Corridor Tampa Jacksonville New Connector or Widen Existing Roads $2,000 5 RC1B FEC St. Augustine Jacksonville Commuter Rail $255 3 RC4 /RC10 Southwest Commuter Rail Green Cove Springs Jacksonville Commuter Rail $294 3 RC1A CSX Yulee Jacksonville Commuter Rail $271 3 Projects Selected for Additional Funding Analysis US 17 West of Dunn Creek Bridge Horse Landing Road Widen to 4 Lanes $51 5 RC3 US 17 CR 309 in Satusma West of Dunn Creek Bridge Widen to 4 Lanes $19 6 US 17 Volusia County Line Pamona Park Widen to 4 Lanes $67 6 US 17 Pamona Park Satsuma Widen to 4 Lanes $7 6 RC2 US 90 I-10 US 90 Parallel Reliever US 90 East Baldwin SR 21 South Macclenny $7 5 RC1B US 1 SR 313 International Golf Parkway Widen to 6 Lanes $23 5 US 1 International Golf Parkway Racetrack Road Widen to 6 Lanes $ North Rail Corridor Phase 1 CSX CSX New Multimodal Corridor $138 4 North Rail Corridor Phase 2 CSX Norfolk Southern New Multimodal Corridor $21 4 RC1A US 17 Harts Road SR 200 Widen to 4 Lanes $3 3 RC4/ RC10 SR 21 Blanding Boulevard SR 16 CR 215 Widen to 4 Lanes $34 5 CR 2209 / CR 305 CR 204 CR 206 New 2 Lane Road $10 3 CR 2209/ CR 305 CR 206 CR 207 Widen to 4 Lanes $36 3 CR 2209 CR 207 CR 214 New 4 Lane Road $40 3 RC1B CR 2209 CR 214 CR 208 New 4 Lane Road $27 3 CR 2209 CR 208 SR 16A New 4 Lane Road $26 3 CR 2209 SR 16 International Golf Parkway New 4 Lane Road $12 3 CR 2209 International Golf Parkway SR 16 Connector New 6 Lane Road $ Intermodal Logistics Center To be determined Intermodal Logistics Center $65 3 Northeast Florida Loop Palatka Etonia Creek State Forest New Multiuse Path $6 1 Northeast Florida Loop Palatka St. Augustine Gap New Multiuse Path $6 1 Northeast Florida Loop Baldwin Jacksonville New Multiuse Path $4 1 Cost (millions) Cary a significant amount of inter-county or interregional traffic Serve as a primary connection between activity centers Move a significant amount of freight Is a primary connection to intermodal facilities Serve as an evacuation route Support the functionality of another regional corridor Criteria Met

18 PAGE 16 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN Corridor Facility From To Type All Regional Coordinated Transit To be determined Coordinated Transit Services 1 St. Johns Ferry Site Improvements (Short and Long-Term) $9 1 St. Johns Ferry Relocation of Ferry Office $0 1 RC9 St. Johns Ferry Service and Capital Improvements $7 1 St. Johns Ferry Drydock Repairs $13 1 Cost (millions) Cary a significant amount of inter-county or interregional traffic Serve as a primary connection between activity centers Move a significant amount of freight Is a primary connection to intermodal facilities Serve as an evacuation route Support the functionality of another regional corridor Criteria Met

19 US 1 from SR 313 to Racetrack Road (St. Johns County) This project will widen US 1 from four to six lanes. The total costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $84 million. US 17 from Harts Road to SR 200 (Jacksonville to Yulee) This project will complete the widening US 17 to four lanes from Harts Road in Jacksonville to SR 200 in Yulee. Other adjacent segments of this project are funded but this project remains a gap in current plans and funding. The total costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $3 million. SR 21 Blanding Boulevard in Clay County This project will improve access between Camp Blanding and Middleburg by widening SR 21 to four lanes. The total cost for completion of this project is $34 million CR 2209 in St. Johns County This project will construct a new roadway between CR 204 and CR 210 in northern St. Johns County. North of CR 210, CR 2209 will connect to the southern extension of SR 9B, which began construction in Various segments of the new roadway will be initially constructed as new two-lane roadway, widening existing two lane roads to four lanes, construction of new four-lane roadway and construction of new six-lane roadway. The total costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $162 million. Transit Capacity Commuter Rail Our region and adjacent portions of Flagler County have experienced extraordinary growth in recent decades. That growth is forecasted to continue in the decades to come. Development of commuter rail in northeast Florida will help focus future growth in neighborhoods and communities that have easy access to urban mass transit as an attractive mobility alternative. This dynamic can, in turn, leverage existing infrastructure, reinvigorate the existing tax base, provide a functional alternative to automobile dependency, and otherwise improve mobility throughout the region. The project would also leverage the existing JACKSONVILLE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY network of services, particularly the Skyway, bus and trolley services in downtown. Three segments of commuter rail were identified and are listed below in priority order. The project costs presented do not include the operation or maintenance of these facilities. Southeast Commuter Rail (St. Augustine to Jacksonville) The capital costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $255 million. Southwest Commuter Rail (Green Cove Springs to Jacksonville) The capital costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $294 million. North Commuter Rail (Yulee to Jacksonville) The capital costs for completion of this project are $271 million.

20 PAGE 18 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN Coordinated Regional Transit Services (per Regional Transit Action Plan) The Regional Transit Action Plan project is under way at the time of this report. It is anticipated that specific projects and recommendations from the Regional Transit Action Plan will be included in the final Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan when the Regional Transit Action Plan is complete. St. Johns River Ferry (also known as the Mayport Ferry) Capital improvements are needed to improve, operate and maintain the St. Johns River Ferry. These capital improvements include relocation of the ferry offices, service and improvements at the ferry terminals and drydock repairs. The total cost for completion of these capital projects is $29 million. Trails Northeast Florida Loop Trail The priority projects identified are part of a 192 mile multiuse trail located in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns and Union counties. Only 67 miles of the proposed trail are currently in place, leaving a gap of 125 miles. These priority projects account for two gap segments within this regional. The total cost for completion of these two segments is $16 million. Freight North Rail Corridor This new rail connector will reduce congestion on the highway network by allowing CSX trains destined for the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility at JAXPORT to avoid the Springfield switch downtown. A new roadway should also be considered in this corridor, between US 17 / Main Street and SR 23 / New Kings Road. A feasibility study was completed and options evaluated. Completing an environmental impact statement for National Environmental Policy Act compliance is the next step required. The total costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $159 million. Intermodal Logistics Center This project proposes to construct a new regional intermodal facility to improve the efficiency of rail-to-rail, truck-to-rail and rail-to-truck container movements within the region. These enhanced efficiencies will also reduce the number of trucks on the road and reduce roadway congestion because fewer trains will travel through at-grade crossings in the area. This project has the potential to have an economic impact, in the range of $$, and add an estimated ## jobs to the region. No project development or site selection for this facility has occurred. The total costs for completion of this project are estimated to be $65 million.

21 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 19 Plan Consistency One of the statutory requirements of the planning process is to ensure that projects of regional significance included in the Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan are consistent with the local government planning processes. Since the plan was developed concurrently with the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, this processes ensured that the projects of regional significance were consistent with the local agency priorities, traffic circulation elements of the comprehensive plans, future land use plans and capital improvement plans. The purpose, need and phasing of the priority projects were verified through this planning process. It is noted that the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan included all six Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Plan counties, as did the Regional Transit Action Plan. Both elected officials and appropriate staff from each Regional County participated actively and effectively in the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, the Regional Transit Action Plan, and this Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan.

22 PAGE 20 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN Funding Options Sales and Gas Taxes An analysis of the currently authorized funding local tax and fee sources available for transportation uses was performed to identify where additional funding capacity may exist under Florida Statute. The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission was not granted the authority to levy taxes or user fees in Florida Statute. Any new funding would have to be collected by one or more of the six participating counties. All Florida counties are authorized under Section 311, Florida Statutes to collect local sales and gas taxes to fund transportation and infrastructure projects. The options available to each regional county are summarized in Table 4. Table 5 summarizes the optional taxes that are not currently being collected in each county. Table 6 summarizes the actions required by the counties to levy these taxes. Table 7 summarizes the allowed uses for each of these taxes. Table 8 summarizes the potential revenue that could be generated by each county if all legally authorized taxes (new revenues) were collected through the year An estimated $2 billion could be generated in 2021 to 2040 using these taxes. Other funding instruments evaluated as part of this study included public-private partnerships, vehicle-miles taxes, tax increment financing and tolls. Currently the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission does not have legislative authority to raise funds using these methods. The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission may pursue grant funding opportunities and serve as an administrator of funds allocated from counties per any agreement issued. A separate funding analysis study is being performed concurrently with the development of this draft report and will be included in the final regional multimodal transportation plan.

23 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 21 Table 4. County Optional Local Sales and Gas Taxes Collected County Local Sales Taxes Collected Local Gas Taxes Collected Clay Local Government Infrastructure Surtax Constitutional Fuel Tax County Fuel Tax Local Option Fuels Taxes Ninth-Cent Local Option Fuel Tax 1 st Local Option Gas Tax Duval Local Government Infrastructure Surtax Charter County and Regional Transportation System Surtax (0.5% of 1% max) Constitutional Fuel Tax County Fuel Tax Ninth-Cent Local Option Fuel Tax 1 st Local Option Gas Tax Nassau Small County Surtax Constitutional Fuel Tax County Fuel Tax Ninth-Cent Local Option Fuel Tax 1 st Local Option Gas Tax St. Johns None Constitutional Fuel Tax County Fuel Tax Ninth-Cent Local Option Fuel Tax 1 st Local Option Gas Tax Baker Small County Surtax Constitutional Fuel Tax County Fuel Tax Ninth-Cent Local Option Fuel Tax 1 st Local Option Gas Tax Putnam Local Government Infrastructure Surtax Constitutional Fuel Tax County Fuel Tax Ninth-Cent Local Option Fuel Tax 1 st Local Option Gas Tax 2 nd Local Option Gas Tax Source: Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, 2015

24 PAGE 22 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN Table 5. County Optional Taxes that Could Be Collected County Local Sales Taxes Gas Taxes Clay Duval Charter County and Regional Transportation System Surtax Local Government Infrastructure Surtax Charter County and Regional Transportation System Surtax (0.5% of 1% max) 2 nd Local Option Gas Tax Ninth-Cent Local Option Fuels Tax Nassau None 2 nd Local Option Gas Tax St. Johns Local Government Infrastructure Surtax Ninth-Cent Local Option Fuel Tax 2 nd Local Option Gas Tax Baker None 2 nd Local Option Gas Tax Putnam None None Source: Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, 2015 Tax Type Charter County and Regional Transportation System Surtax (Only available to Clay and Duval) Table 6. County Actions Required to Levy Additional Taxes Action Required Majority vote of county s electorate OR A charter amendment approved by a majority of the county s electorate Local Government Infrastructure Surtax 1 st LOGT Majority vote of the county s governing board AND Approved by voters in a countywide referendum Majority of county s governing body OR Voter approval in countywide referendum 2 nd LOGT Majority of county s governing body OR Voter approval in countywide referendum Extraordinary vote of governing body Ninth Cent OR Voter approval in countywide referendum Source: Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, 2015

25 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PAGE 23 Tax Type Charter County and Regional Transportation System Surtax (Only available to Clay and Duval) Table 7. Allowed Uses for Taxes Uses Allowed Development, construction, operation, and maintenance of: fixed guideway rapid transit systems, bus systems, on-demand transportation, roads and bridges Local Government Infrastructure Surtax Finance, plan, and construct infrastructure Acquire land for public recreation, conservation, or protection of natural resources Small County Surtax Operational expenses of any infrastructure or for any public purpose authorized in the ordinance. If the surtax is enacted by countywide referendum, the proceeds may be used to service bonded indebtedness to finance, plan, and construct infrastructure, and to acquire land for public recreation, conservation, or natural resource preservation. 1 st LOGT Fund transportation expenditures 2 nd LOGT Transportation expenditures needed to meet the requirements of the capital improvements element of an adopted local government comprehensive plan. Meet immediate local transportation problems Ninth Cent Fund transportation expenditures Source: Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, 2015 Table 8. Potential Revenue from New Taxes (millions of $) County Total Baker County $1.11 $1.17 $2.55 $4.83 Clay County $31.47 $34.09 $77.54 $ Duval County $ $ $ $1, Nassau County $2.17 $2.29 $5.01 $9.47 Putnam County $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 St. Johns County $65.01 $80.89 $ $ Total $ $ $1, $2, All values are in year of expenditure millions of dollars.

26 PAGE 24 REGIONAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN Summary The Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan satisfies the provisions of Chapter 343, Part I for a multimodal and prioritized regional transportation plan consisting of transportation projects of regional significance; and an implementation plan that that identifies available but not yet imposed, and potentially developable sources of funding to execute the regional transportation plan. As required by Chapter 343, Florida Statutes, the plan utilizes data contained in the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization s 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan as well as the transportation other regional and local agencies. The Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan projects population within our region will grow to nearly 2 million by the year 2040 and identifies a $20 billion shortfall in funding needed to meet identified needs. Regional approaches to transportation investment are needed to address this shortfall. This plan identifies the top regional priorities that were either not funded or where funding is delayed to beyond The project priorities were identified through a process that was consistent with other plans, utilized performance measures to identify candidate projects and built consensus through the Commission on the projects. Nearly $5.5 billion of priorities were identified that include $4.4 billion in highways, $849 million in transit, $224 million in freight projects and $16 million in trails. The recommendations of this study cannot be completed until other concurrent studies for economic analysis and a regional transit action plan are completed.

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28 Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission 980 North Jefferson Street Jacksonville, Florida (904) The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission was established in 2013 by the Florida Legislature. The purposes of the commission are to improve mobility and expand multimodal transportation options for persons and freight throughout the six-county North Florida region consisting of six counties - Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns. It has a nine member governing board with four representatives from Duval County and one for each of the other counties. CREAITING REGIONAL CONNECTIONS