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JTA History

Timeline of Events

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.

2018

  • Launch of JTA See & Say app.
  • Held the inaugural Partner-2-Partner (P2P) Sunshine Forum.
  • Unveiled the Gen 2 autonomous vehicle at test track.
  • Hosted APTA Fare Collections & Revenue Management Conference.
  • Ribbon cutting for the Intercity Bus Terminal (IBT)
  • Launched JTA University.
  • USDOT awarded $12.5 million BUILD grant for the Bay Street Innovation Corridor.
  • Completed Mandarin Walk sidewalk project.
  • Groundbreaking held for Kernan Boulevard JTAMobilityWorks project. 
  • First Coast Flyer Red Line (East Corridor) begins service from Downtown to the Beaches. 
  • Nassau Express Select begins service from Nassau County to Downtown Jacksonville.
  • Avenues Walk Park-n-Ride Center becomes operational.
  • ReadiRide on-call transportation begins service to five zones within Jacksonville. 
  • JTA receives FPTA's Bus Safety Excellence Gold Bus Gold Safety Award.
  • Mr. Ford inducted into First Coast Business Hall of Fame. 
  • JTA receives 2018 Community Partner Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

2019

  • Completed JTAMobilityWorks Girvin Road project. 
  • Launched Clay Community Transportation Flex Route and TD service. 
  • Dames Point Bridge celebrates 30-year anniversary. 
  • Hosted FPTA Florida Triple Crown Bus Roadeo. 
  • JTA wins top award of Urban Grand Champions at the Florida Triple Crown Bus Roadeo.
  • FTA awarded JTA $16.6 million for CFC BRT Orange Line project. 
  • Skyway celebrates 30-year anniversary.
  • Mr. Ford receives the "Though Leader" Award from the ENO Center for Transportation. 
  • Hosted the APTA TBM-TBA Seminar. 
  • Completed three projects as part of a Safe Routes to School: Brentwood Elementary, Livingston Elementary and Butler Middle schools.

2020

  • JTA hosts U2C Industry Forum. 
  • Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla opens. 
  • JTA launches the U2C Transit-Oriented Development Pilot. 
  • JTA completes JTAMobilityWorks Kernan Boulevard project. 
  • FTA awards JTA $52 million passenger ferry grant. 
  • JTA receives $11.9 million bus and bus facilities grant. 
  • APA names Mr. Ford 2020 Outstanding Public Transportation Manager. 
  • JTA, Beep and Navya autonomous shuttle helps Mayo Clinic transport COVID-19 tests.
  • JTA, FSCJ execute agreement for AV testing, educational initiatives.
  • JTA opens the JRTC at LaVilla Produce Market. 
  • Groundbreaking held for First Coast Flyer Orange Line (Southwest Corridor).
  • JTA receives FPTA Outstanding System of the Year Award.

2021

  • JTA launches Ride to Health initiative; helps transport seniors and healthcare workers to vaccination sites for free. 
  • Groundbreaking held for JTAMobilityWorks McDuff Avenue-5th Street project. 
  • Groundbreaking held for JTAMobilityWorks Alta Drive project.