The city’s Emerald Trail park project will receive more than $140 million in federal dollars, U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean announced March 11.
Bean worked with fellow U.S. Rep. John Rutherford to procure the funding as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation funding initiative.
The Emerald Trail project comprises 30 miles of trails, greenways and parks to connect Downtown Jacksonville with businesses, schools and transit. The trail will connect 14 historical neighborhoods.
“It’s critical that our transportation networks have the infrastructure to keep Floridians safe while they walk, bike and drive,” Bean said in a news release.
The funding will “jumpstart” the project, he said.
Bean and Rutherford sent a joint letter of support to Pete Buttigieg, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In part, the letter read: “The trail has the potential to be a catalyst for economic development in Jacksonville, from encouraging healthy lifestyles and promoting public safety to spurring economic growth and neighborhood revitalization.”
The trail is expected to be built by 2029.
The trail was launched with $132 million in funding from Duval County’s local option gas tax approved by City Council in 2021.
Groundwork Jacksonville CEO Kay Ehas said at the August 2021 Emerald Trail groundbreaking it was expected to cost $184.3 million, but that could increase with rising construction costs.