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Southbank Condo Residents Want Changes To JTA's Bus Rapid Transit Plans

Jacksonville Transportation Authority

  Residents from the three Southbank condominiums want to see the Jacksonville Transportation Authority change its plans for Riverplace Boulevard.

JTA has long planned to use Riverplace as part of its Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT system. The BRT uses dedicated bus lanes and technology that turns traffic lights green to quickly move passengers.

But those plans were in place before the condos were built.  There was a heated meeting earlier this month when residents strongly objected to the current plan.  On Wednesday, March 20 JTA held another meeting to present alternative plans, but the residents still weren't happy.

JTA officials say the main problem is that the most viable alternative routes don't maintain Federal Transit Authority grant requirements.

Jacksonville City Council President Bill Bishop suggested if JTA can't come up with a plan that satisfies both their needs and the residents, the JTA should skip the Southbank portion of the BRT for now and focus on the corridors leading into downtown instead.       

Kevin Meerschaert has left WJCT for new pursuits. He was the producer of First Coast Connect until October of 2018.