The Jacksonville Transportation Authority approved a $2 million contract award March 26 for Jacksonville-based consultant Volkert Inc. to design one of 10 segments of the Emerald Trail.
Greer Gillis, JTA chief infrastructure and development officer, told board members the contract would be funded through the city’s Local Option Gas Tax. Representatives from the city and Groundwork Jacksonville, a nonprofit partnering with the city to build the Emerald Trail, were included in the evaluation of proposals.
The board voted 5-0, with member Daniel Vallencourt abstaining and member Max Glober absent, to allow JTA to negotiate its contract with Volkert. Should negotiations with Volkert fail, JTA is authorized to negotiate with the second-highest-ranked bidder.
Segment 3 is the Emerald Trail’s Riverside Link, a 2.3-mile stretch of the Emerald Trail that runs from Hollybrook Park in Lackawanna to Riverside Park under the Fuller Warren Bridge to Memorial Park.
Construction is expected to begin in 2028, according to materials presented to the board. The estimated cost is $24.6 million, funded by the city’s Local Option Gas Tax and a grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation, for which JTA applied in February.
The Emerald Trail is designed as a 30-mile route in central Jacksonville connecting 14 neighborhoods to Downtown, the St. Johns River, McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek. Along the route are 16 schools, two colleges and 21 parks.
Status report
During an afternoon board workshop, JTA updated board members on the timelines and expected costs for future Emerald Trail segments.
For segments 4, 6, 7 and 8, the project development and environment studies are expected to be completed by June 1.
Segment 4 is expected to enter its design phase in the first quarter of 2027, while design schedules are to be determined for the others. Construction timelines have not been determined for all four segments.
Segment 4 is expected to cost $15.8 million, funded through the gas tax. Estimated costs are $45.3 million for Segment 6, $39.9 million for Segment 7 and $45.8 million for Segment 8. Funding sources are to be determined for segments 6, 7 and 8.
Gillis also informed the board of an Emerald Trail alternative that would form a loop of about 13 miles around Jacksonville’s Urban Core. The alternative would allow the city to focus on building a core loop network and delay development of further Emerald Trail segments.
That alternative is in discussion among JTA, the city and Groundwork Jacksonville, Gillis said.
“Our intention is to build all the segments of the Emerald Trail. This does not take this away. This just allows a delivery approach to provide a connected Emerald Trail and other trail segments to provide something functional sooner rather than later,” Gillis said.