1. What is a PD&E Study?
  2. Why is this study being conducted?
  3. We know the traffic is increasing. Why are these studies needed?
  4. Projects are happening all around and in this study area. Are these projects being taken into consideration for this project?
  5. I own property along the existing road. Will these improvement plans take my house?
  6. What issues will be considered when choosing an alternative?
  7. Is the no-build an option in this project?
  8. When will the preferred alternative recommendation be made?
  9. When can we expect to see improvements?
  10. I recently purchased property in the study area and did not get a notice of the meeting. How can I be placed on the mailing list?
  11. How can I get involved?

 

 

 
  What is a PD&E Study?
A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is the formal process that was developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and is being used by Clay County to assess potential impacts that may result to the adjacent environment from the implementation of transportation improvements. Types of improvements include roadway widenings, bridge replacements, safety improvements, and new location facilities, just to name a few.

A number of environmental, social, and economic studies are conducted as part of the process. With the information gathered for the study, various roadway alignments or configurations are analyzed to determine the most viable and reasonable alternative. This information is shared with the public through a series of meetings, workshops, hearings, newsletters, and other means to ensure that individuals along the corridor have an opportunity to participate in the decision making process.

The PD&E process concludes with the development of an engineering report and accompanying support documents that identify the recommended alternative, describe its potential effects, and document those items that Clay County has committed to do as part of the project's implementation. Top

Why is this study being conducted?
Blanding Boulevard is one of the major linkages between the growing areas of northeastern Clay County and the greater Jacksonville area. It is a highly congested roadway, due primarily to the lack of suitable alternative routes. The street system in the study area is fragmented, lacking connectivity, forcing most commuters and commercial traffic onto Blanding Boulevard for at least a portion of their journey. Over the next ten years the reconstruction and extension of Branan Field/Chaffee Road will provide a four-lane, limited access facility with frontage roads, connecting Blanding Boulevard with Interstate 10, which will serve as a reliever to both Blanding Boulevard and Interstate 295. The success of diverting traffic to Branan Field/Chaffee Road depends largely on the provision of access from the growth corridors of US 17 and Blanding Boulevard, especially between Knight Boxx Road, Doctors Inlet Road and Kingsley Avenue. Top

We know the traffic is increasing. Why are these studies needed?
Projects of this size require Clay County to comply with the regulations established by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Highway Administration (FHWA), and the State of Florida to satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which require the study of engineering alternatives and their effect upon the environment. The law also requires that the public, especially those individuals directly impacted by a project, be given the opportunity to provide input and comments related to the proposed improvement.

For the last eleven years, FDOT and Clay County have been studying ways of making this connection. Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc. performed a study for FDOT that focused on the area between Old Jennings Road and Kingsley Road. Clay County performed a study that further limited the area to between Taylor Avenue and Cleveland Avenue.

The goal of this study is to collect the previous work that has been completed, perform a comprehensive evaluation for the best alternatives in the project area, recommend and secure approval for the most feasible connector roadway, and perform enough design to proceed with right of way acquisition. Top

Projects are happening all around and in this study area. Are these projects being taken into consideration for this project?
Yes, we are coordinating this study with other Clay County and FDOT projects in the area. Top

I own property along the existing road. Will these improvement plans take my house?
Clay County will identify the property needed for this improvement as the consultant team develops alternative alignments between Blanding Boulevard and Branan Field/Chaffee Road. Any individual that own property in the study area is encouraged to stay in touch with Clay County and the study team throughout project development. Top

What issues will be considered when choosing an alternative?
The following factors will be considered in the analyses of alternatives.

  • Traffic analysis
  • Social impacts
  • Environmental impacts
  • Cost calculations
  • Engineering analysis Top

Is the no-build an option in this project?
Yes, the no-build alternative is always considered a viable alternative. Top

When will the preferred alternative recommendation be made?
The final recommendation of a preferred alternative will occur after the formal public hearing, which is scheduled for the Spring of 2006. Top

When can we expect to see improvements?
Actual construction dates depend upon the availability of funds. The current PD&E study is scheduled for completion in 2006. This will be followed by final design development, right of way acquisition, and construction. Clay County and FDOT will work together to identify future funding opportunities needed to complete all phases of this project. Top

I recently purchased property in the study area and did not get a notice of the meeting. How can I be placed on the mailing list?
You can be placed on our mailing list in several ways. You may request it in writing to the project manager identified on the Project Team page of this web site or you may request it electronically on the Contact Us page of this site. Top

How can I get involved?
You can be a partner in solving the transportation needs of your community. Get involved by providing us information and expressing your opinion about the proposed study via the Contact Us page of this web site. We encourage you to participate in the public meetings that we will hold. You can stay informed by adding your name to our mailing list. We will update this site frequently, so we suggest that you revisit this web site often for additional information and project updates. Top