Connections are at the heart of the groundbreaking Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla (JRTC). Designed by the Pond|Michael Baker International JV for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), transit-oriented development (TOD) strategies were used to improve transportation, reduce traffic and spur economic activity in the region. Capitalizing on these ideas, the 67,000-square-foot facility realizes complete-streets connections within the LaVilla neighborhood thanks to centralized local, intercity regional transit networks (including 21 bus bays and seven staging bays), paratransit services, alternative mobility solutions, an elevated automated people mover (APM) system called the Skyway and space for future services. These are complemented by a grand staircase entrance, an elevated urban plaza for mixed-use retail opportunities and scenic views of downtown Jacksonville for employees and guests. The JV team served as the project’s lead designer and provided community coordination and outreach, architecture, interior designs, structural engineering, civil engineering, M|E|P|FP engineering, landscape architecture, right-of-way and utility coordination, geotechnical engineering and construction management services.
The primary achievement of Jacksonville’s Regional Transportation Center is gathering the city's formerly fragmented transit services into a centralized modern hub, enabling riders to easily transfer between modes of transportation both internal and external to Jacksonville. Accomplishing this mission elevates the effectiveness of the city’s public transit to the next level. It also entices a new generation of transportation users and offers unique opportunities for growth to the Authority and region. The benefits of these efficiencies and ridership connectivity will benefit the Northeast Florida region by reducing traffic congestion and emissions, creating economic opportunities in the rejuvenation the La Villa neighborhood.
To date, the JRTC project has received the following recognition:
- 2020-21 ACEC Connecticut Engineering Excellence Award
- 2020-21 ACEC Florida Engineering Excellence Grand Award
- 2020-21 ACEC Georgia Engineering Excellence Honor Award
- 2020-21 ACEC Massachusetts Engineering Excellence Bronze Award