JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Transportation Authority held another round of public meetings Thursday to discuss the Skyway Conversion project.
We reported last month how JTA’s projected cost overruns this year reached over $32.8 million.
Approximately $247 million in dedicated Local Option Gas Tax funding is currently allocated to the program. However some of the proposed options for the Skyway cost more than that.
JTA is currently considering six build options and a non-build option for the proposed Skyway Conversion project.
During the meeting, JTA introduced its newest build option based on public feedback - the Modern Street car.
Of the other five options, JTA says the most popular choice among those surveyed is turning the Skyway into a multipurpose trail and having street level autonomous vehicles.
However, JTA projects that option to cost over $260 million to build.
The least expensive option is removing the Skyway and putting those vehicles on the streets.
But that’s also the least popular option right now.
“When you consider the initial capital costs, operating costs, refurbishment and replacement costs of the vehicles, as we’ve gone through the analysis, that’s what the analysis has returned is that that one over the span of 30 years would be the cheapest,” said Bill Frazer, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer for JTA.
We asked JTA if they can afford any of the proposed Skyway options with its financial problems, and if they plan on reallocating the $247 million dollars for the Skyway Project to something else.
You can read the full statement from JTA here:
“The JTA is evaluating the financial feasibility of each Skyway alternative as part of the ongoing PD&E Study. No alternative has been selected or approved for implementation.
“Approximately $247 million in dedicated Local Option Gas Tax (LOGT) funding is currently allocated to the program. Completion of the PD&E process also positions the JTA to pursue potential federal funding.
Cost, available funding, public input and long-term financial sustainability will all be key factors in determining the path forward.”
JTA is still seeking the public’s input on the future of the Skyway. They plan to present a summary of the public’s feedback and their recommendations during the October 29 board meeting.
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