JACKSONVILLE – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today made the formal announcement of a $25 million grant to support the Bay Street Innovation Corridor and Urban Core Riverfront Revitalization projects in Jacksonville. Secretary Chao was joined by Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04), Congressman Al Lawson (FL-05), Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) CEO Nathaniel Ford.

“In partnership with the state of Florida, City of Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, this grant will pave the way for two important projects to revitalize transportation and commerce in the heart of the city,” said Secretary Chao.

The $25 million award was made under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) transportation grant program. Jacksonville was one of 91 grants selected from 851 eligible applications from all 50 states, which was nearly double the number of applications received in Fiscal Year 2017.

The grant funding goes towards two key projects in Jacksonville. The City of Jacksonville will carry out the Urban Core Riverfront Revitalization, and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority will launch the Bay Street Innovation Corridor. The projects will bracket the downtown area, providing major improvements to Bay Street, from the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla in the Downtown Core area to the Sports Complex. Through highway redevelopment, implementing an autonomous transit network, and introducing smart technologies, the projects will focus regenerative efforts on the riverside area around important local business, sporting, and entertainment centers.