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 "Thought 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 updates on-site air purification system
- JTA partners with Agape Family Health to launch "Wellness on Wheels" mobile vaccination clinic
- U.S. Green Building Council certifies the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center as a LEED Gold facility
- JTA begins Clay Community Transportation Green Line
- Goodyear, Local Motors, Beep, & JTA partner to test airless tires on autonomous vehicles
- JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. appointed Chair of Transportation Research Board Executive Committee
- JTA partners with Corner Lot Living for Transit-Oriented Development
- JTA and Duval County Public Schools partner to launch free rides through My Ride 2 School
- 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.
2022
- JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. begins term as Chair of Transportation Research Board Executive Committee
- JTA awarded $15.4 million U.S. Department of Transportation sustainability grant to support fleet improvement
- JTA hosts Zero Emissions Forum for discussions on the future of zero-emissions transportation
- New MyJTA mobile app launches on October 24, 2022
- JTA completes MobilityWorks project on McDuff Avenue and 5th Street
2023
- JTA hosts UITP North American Forum in downtown Jacksonville
- JTA Board of Directors approves 10-year contract to expand paratransit & alternative service delivery