{"id":1048368,"date":"2026-09-07T06:47:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T06:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1048368\/"},"modified":"2026-09-07T06:47:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T06:47:02","slug":"from-walkable-trails-to-streetcars-jta-lays-out-6-options-for-the-future-of-the-skyway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1048368\/","title":{"rendered":"From walkable trails to streetcars: JTA lays out 6 options for the future of the Skyway"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 The Jacksonville Transportation Authority said options for redeveloping Downtown Jacksonville\u2019s Skyway system will cost $151.95 million to $565.44 million.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>JTA names interim CEO as Nat Ford departs for Dallas transit agency<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In an August presentation to its board, JTA staff detailed costs for each of six alternatives for the overhead tram, as well as the cost of running the system as-is. Those options are under review by the authority and the public for the future of the Skyway, which is reaching the end of its lifespan. <\/p>\n

The most expensive of the six plans is a \u201cmodern streetcar\u201d system \u2014 costing $565.44 million in capital expense plus $15.74 million in annual upkeep \u2014 which would include 12 street-level trains running at 12 stops in and around Downtown, with potential expansion to Riverside and the Sports and Entertainment District.<\/p>\n

The least expensive alternative use would be to operate autonomous vehicles on the street level, a continuation of JTA\u2019s current Ultimate Urban Circulator system, or U2C, that is in its first phase Downtown. That system \u2014 costing $151.95 million with $9.03 million in annual upkeep \u2014 would run up to 45 vehicles Downtown, reaching 17 stops.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Skyway would be a good idea but add more stops because there\u2019s a lot of things that\u2019s going on in Five Points on Riverside,\u201d Cordell Brown said. \u201cBut people have to basically be connected, and I think that is a great way to keep connecting with the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

The U2C is JTA\u2019s planned system of autonomous vehicles in Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. With the first phase, which includes Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation vans operating on a 3.5-mile stretch on and around Bay Street, the JTA plans to expand to Brooklyn, Riverside, San Marco and Springfield.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was one car to the San Marco area and it takes like 15 or 20 minutes for that car to get back,\u201d Matthew Keley, a resident, said. \u201cI went to this side of downtown, so like more service and then more security on the platforms.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not doing anything to the current Skyway system would cost $15.15 million in capital expense with $11.85 million in annual upkeep. Most of JTA\u2019s original group of 10 Skyway vehicles have been placed out of commission since they were introduced almost 40 years ago, and many of the parts necessary to rehabilitate those vehicles are no longer available. <\/p>\n

An alternative that involves converting the Skyway tracks into a roadway for U2C vehicles with ramps to surface streets would cost $294.23 million in capital expense and $11.05 million in annual upkeep. <\/p>\n

Any movement forward for the Skyway\u2019s redevelopment \u2014 part of JTA\u2019s U2C plan \u2014 may be difficult on cost constraints alone. An agreement with the city of Jacksonville gave the authority $247 million in gas tax revenue to develop the U2C, but JTA interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson III told reporters that \u201ceverything is on the table\u201d regarding gas tax and U2C plans as the authority faces financial headwinds.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the Skyway,\u201d Devan Denson said. \u201cI feel like it could be improved a lot more just from the timing and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

JTA is set to hold public meetings where its six options and its cost will be presented. The meetings are scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.<\/p>\n