Council members approve cutting Skyway expansion from proposed gas tax projects

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville City Council members have ten total amendments to the gas tax proposal, which would double the tax from .06 to .12 cents to fund nearly $1 billion in infrastructure projects.

$379 million totally would go towards the Skyway. That includes $132 million to expand the Skyway into surrounding neighborhoods including: Riverside and Brooklyn, Springfield and UF Health, the sports complex and shipyards, San Marco, and the South Bank.

Council Member Ron Salem proposed killing the expansion project, which was passed through city council Wednesday.

It still leaves $247 million to renovate the existing Skyway infrastructure and getting the track ready for autonomous vehicles.

JTA CEO Nat Ford said without the $132 million, they will instead look to federal and even private funding to expand the Skyway.

“These technologies can be used in many corners of our community — particularly in neighborhoods where you have senior citizens and school kids,” he said.

Ford added that the autonomous vehicles could set the stage for the future of public transportation. Council Member Salem said it’s also necessary as downtown Jacksonville grows.

“No one likes to raise taxes, it’s difficult. I think the gas tax of any tax is the best one because it’s more of a user fee,” he said adding that travelers through Jacksonville will lift some of the weight off neighbors.

The $132 million that was killed Tuesday will likely go towards the Emerald Trail in an amendment that will be discussed next Wednesday.

The gas tax proposal also funds $102 million to resurface 3,682 miles of road across Jacksonville along with a total of more than 70 other projects. You can read the full list here (Investigates: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry proposes doubling Duval gas tax – Action News Jax). It would also create 7,600 jobs according to the city.

31 of Florida’s 67 total counties have a .12 cent gas tax, including Clay, Nassau, Bradford, and Putnam county in Northeast Florida. St. Johns County sits at .06 cents.

The proposal was introduced to city council April 27th and is set to be voted on May 25th, but council members said it would likely be delayed.

Cox Media Group