Rutherford Announces $25 million in Federal Funds for Jacksonville

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded two Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants that will provide $25 million in federal funding for important projects in Downtown Jacksonville. Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) will receive $12.5 million to fund their Bay Street Innovation Corridor, and the City of Jacksonville will receive $12.5 million to fund the Urban Core Riverfront Revitalization projects. Congressman John Rutherford, who is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, sits on the subcommittee that funds DOT and has used that position to strongly advocate for these grant projects in Washington.

Following today's announcement, Congressman Rutherford said:

"This federal investment in improving our transportation infrastructure and applying new technologies to our transit system are key to the next stages of growth for Jacksonville. The City of Jacksonville and JTA projects will make our urban core safer, more dynamic, and easier to get around. As the 13^th largest city in the country, Jacksonville must aggressively maintain and develop its transportation infrastructure to attract further investment and business development. Safe, efficient transportation systems ensure that our residents and visitors have access to jobs and local attractions. I have worked tirelessly with my colleagues in Congress and leaders in the Jacksonville community to make these BUILD grants a reality, and I remain committed to ensuring Northeast Florida continues to thrive as an economic powerhouse in the Southeastern U.S."

The City of Jacksonville will demolish the Hart Bridge Expressway and construct a ramp from the Hart Bridge to Bay Street/Gator Bowl Boulevard. At street level, a Complete Street will be constructed to include traffic calming measures and bicycle and pedestrian paths. The JTA project will deploy approximately 15 autonomous vehicles, dynamic connected traffic signals, smart lighting, pedestrian sensors, smart parking, and flood warning sensors. These developments are expected to attract billions in private sector investment, which will create jobs and spur economic opportunity.