THE HISTORY OF THE JTA
1955
Jacksonville Expressway Authority (JEA), is formed by the Florida State Legislature.
1956
Riverside Interchange section of the Jacksonville Expressway opens to traffic connecting the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Stockton exit.
1958
First automatic tolls are installed on the Fuller Warren Bridge.
1959
Southside link to the Jacksonville Expressway opens.
1960
Two expressway links open at one time Clark Road to U.S. 17 near Imeson Airport and Myrtle Avenue to U.S. 1.
1963
Construction of the Commodores Point Bridge (Isaiah David Hart Bridge) begins.
1966
JEA approves construction of Atlantic Boulevard.
1969
Isaiah D. Hart Bridge opens.
1970
The Jacksonville Area Planning Board and the Jacksonville Expressway Authority meet jointly four times per year to coordinate planning for the City’s highways and expressway system.
1971
Construction begins on Florida State Road 202 (J. Turner Butler “JTB” Boulevard).
The Jacksonville Expressway Authority becomes the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) by the Florida Legislature as it enters the bus business.
1974
JTA introduces the Park-n-Ride program opening the first lot at JTB and A1A served by an express flyer bus.
1976
Dial-A-Ride Transportation (DART) paratransit service begins.
1979
The final 7.3-mile stretch of J. Turner Butler Boulevard opens to traffic.
1984
JTA implements its first ever restructuring of the bus system with new routes, schedules, stops and signage.
1985
JTA receives more than $23 million from Urban Mass Transportation Administration to build the Automated Skyway Express.
1988
Tolls at the Mathews Bridge, Fuller Warren Bridge, Hart Bridge, Trout River Bridge and J. Turner Butler Boulevard are removed.
1989
Dames Point Bridge, officially named the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge, opens to the general public.
The Skyway starter line, spanning seven-tenths of a mile, begins operations.
1990
After years of debate, a route for the Wonderwood Expressway is finalized.
JTA implements a new Trolley service.
1994
The main transfer hub for JTA, FCCJ station, opens.
1995
JTA begins the Stadium Shuttle Service providing transportation service to and from Jaguars games.
1997
JTA implements the Bikes on Buses program.
1998
Skyway service operating between Hemming Plaza and FCCJ Skyway stations and across the Acosta Bridge to San Marco opens.
2002
JTA celebrates the opening of the Atlantic Boulevard/Mayport Flyover and intersection improvements.
2003
JTA adopts a three-year Strategic Plan that includes a revised mission statement and core values to guide how the agency conducts business.
2004
The Wonderwood Bridge opens to traffic.
2005
JTA celebrates 50 years of service to the community.
Provides more than 450,000 trips on Stadium Shuttle and Skyway services during the four-day Super Bowl event.
2006
Heckscher Drive is widened from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway.
JTA widens Argyle Forest Boulevard from two lanes to four.
2009
The first JTA Community Shuttle begins service in Arlington.
Beach Boulevard Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway opens to traffic.
2010
JTA introduces new JTB/I-95 ramps.
2011
JTA completes the Atlantic Kernan Interchange.
2012
JTA launches the STAR electronic payment fare collection system.
Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., becomes the new JTA CEO.
2013
Skyway reaches a one-million trip milestone.
JTA starts Bikes on Skyway pilot program.
JTA introduces hybrid electric buses into the fleet.
2014
JTA wraps its first Skyway train with artwork.
Skyway accommodates 90,177 trips during the One Spark crowd-funding festival.
Local option gas tax (LOGT) is extended to 2036 for the funding of transit and road projects.
JTA breaks ground on First Coast Flyer (FCF) bus rapid transit.
Blueprint for Transportation Excellence (BTE) is announced as JTA’s 20-year strategic plan.
JTA moves administrative headquarters to 121 W. Forsyth Street downtown.
2015
JTA issues $100.5 Million in series 2015 revenue bonds.
Groundbreaking on Compressed Natural Gas facilities.
Baldwin Park-n-Ride lot opens.
CEO received the White House Champions of Change Award.
Launch of the MyJTA mobile ticketing app.
Connexion relocates to the Myrtle Avenue campus.
Opens FCF-Green Line on the North Corridor.
Began Campus Master plan for Myrtle Avenue campus.
2016
JTA’s Compressed Natural Gas station opens on Myrtle Avenue campus.
Old St. Augustine Road roadway project opens to traffic.
JTA assumes ownership and operations of the St. Johns River Ferry.
JTA receives APTA’s 2016 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award.
Soutel Transit hub opens.
The JTA Stadium Shuttle rebrands to the Gameday Xpress.
Armsdale Park-n-Ride opens.
Opens FCF-Blue Line on the Southeast Corridor.
The JTA receives Florida Public Transportation Association System of the Year Award.
2017
Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center groundbreaking.
Broke ground on JTAMobilityWorks Collins Road project
Began construction on Phase I and Phase II of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center.
Moved into the development phase of the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) Program.
Completed Phase I and Phase II of the St. Johns River Ferry repairs and improvements, including new slip walls and fender systems.
In a partnership with the Cultural Council, public art was installed on the Skyway columns along Hogan and Bay Streets.
Launched Route 82 which provides direct shuttle service between the Armsdale Park-n-Ride and the Amazon Fulfillment Center Warehouse on Pecan Park Road.
Launched the Autonomous Vehicle Test and Learn track.