Balfour Beatty and Stantec selected by Jacksonville Transportation Authority to expand downtown transit with AV technology

Leading global design firm Stantec, as part of the Balfour Beatty Vision 2 Reality (V2R) Team, has been selected by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) to design and build Phase 1 of the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) Program, called The Bay Street Innovation Corridor. The first-of-its kind program will transform downtown Jacksonville through modernization and expansion of its downtown transit circulator to accommodate autonomous vehicles (AV) and enhance overall mobility. As a key member of the team, Stantec will provide AV planning and integration design, intelligent transportation system (ITS) infrastructure design, AV policy counsel, and public outreach support.

The U²C is the JTA’s vision for the conversion and expansion of the Skyway automated people mover (APM) system in Downtown Jacksonville and the surrounding neighborhoods. The three-phase U²C includes the Bay Street Innovation Corridor, the full conversion of the Skyway superstructure, and the expansion into nearby neighborhoods. When completed, the system will expand the current Skyway from a 2.5-mile system to the 10-mile U²C, levering the latest autonomous vehicle technologies.

“This award represents a major milestone for the U²C, the JTA and Downtown Jacksonville,” said JTA Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. “We are confident the Balfour Beatty team, Stantec, and partners will deliver a world-class project on behalf of the taxpayers of Jacksonville, placing our community at the forefront of innovation.”

To deliver the project, Stantec will help deliver smart infrastructure including coordinating the installation of a 5G network, vehicle to infrastructure connected technology, and a traffic management center to allow for AV integration. Work will also include supporting the AV deployment including operational risk assessment and operational design domain evaluation. Stantec’s smart mobility policy experts will provide counsel on AV policy updates and funding opportunities at the state and federal level, laying a successful foundation for future phases of U²C.

Public outreach will be a critical component to the success of the project, and Stantec will support the public engagement and education process. Demonstration days will offer the community the opportunity to ride AVs to help gain public understanding of the technology, while a focus on equity will bring economic opportunities and better accessibility to transportation options.

“Jacksonville is stepping into a leadership role in transportation innovation in North America,” said Kate Jack, Smart Mobility Sector Leader at Stantec. “The JTA recognizes the potential of AVs and has launched a program that will truly transform transportation in the City to the benefits of residents and visitors alike.”

Through this consortium, Balfour Beatty, Stantec and partners will oversee 60% design of the BSIC, a three-mile, at-grade service along Bay Street that will run from Hogan Street to the Sports & Entertainment District, near TIAA Bank Field, 121 Financial Field and the VyStar Veterans Memorial Area. The approximately $44 million project is fully funded and supported by local, in-kind, state and federal funds including the $12.5 million BUILD grant awarded to the JTA in 2019.

The U²C Program in Jacksonville joins the GoMed AV Program connecting to the Las Vegas Medical District and the AvCo Deployment Program in Colorado as three of the most significant smart mobility projects in North America. Stantec is a lead consultant on all three projects.

Find out more about the U²C program and the Bay Street Innovation Corridor project.

Learn more about smart mobility at Stantec.

About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they're our communities too. This allows us to assess what's needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.

We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

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Media Contact                                          

Colin Nekolaichuk
Stantec Media Relations
Ph (437) 225-6384
colin.nekolaichuk@stantec.com

Trevor Eckart
Stantec Media Relations
Ph (215) 665-7187
trevor.eckart@stantec.com