JTA's Nat Ford Responds to JAX 2025 Survey

[thelakelander]

JTA's new CEO Nat Ford had this editorial for Jacksonville residents put in today's Times-Union.

Lead Letter: JTA's leader seeks input on improving city's transportation

As chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, I would like to comment about the published release of Jacksonville Community Council Inc.’s Jax2025 survey results indicating that transportation in and around Jacksonville was one of respondents’ highest priorities.

First, I would like to thank and commend JCCI for undertaking such an important task.

Over the years, JCCI has led numerous community initiatives that have resulted in a better quality of life for all of us.

To those survey respondents who indicated that they are not satisfied with transportation in Jacksonville, we hear you loud and clear.

We know that Jacksonville’s transportation system is critical to quality of life and economic development.

Over the past decade, JTA has made great strides in expanding and improving Jacksonville’s road and bridge infrastructure network and providing public transit options, especially for those who are dependent on public transportation.

Still, we recognize that we can do better.

It is vital that we as a community make smart planning choices that respond to our clients’ desires and at the same time make best use of the resources that are available.

We are always looking for ways to improve the transit services we provide.

We also are continuing to seek funding for those most-needed infrastructure improvements, especially the I-95/Butler Boulevard interchange.

We are eager to see specific details of the Jax2025 survey so we can completely understand the transportation concerns raised by those participating, and we look forward to working to build the kind of world-class transportation system Jacksonville needs and deserves.

About the author: Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. is Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO

http://m.jacksonville.com/opinion/premium-opinion/2013-01-23/story/lead-letter-jtas-leader-seeks-input-improving-citys

[fsquid]

Yup, that Butler/95 Interchange is the crown jewel.

[urbaknight]

I thought the city finally separated JTA from building roads and ordered them to focus solely on mass transit.

Or was that just a suggestion?

Ford sounds like another Blaylock to me!

[thelakelander]

JTA will be the same structurally, at least until 2016, when the gas tax expires or is extended.

[Tacachale]

The CEO isn't king of JTA, he's responsible to the board and is bound by the structure of the organization. To me, it's encouraging that the JTA head specifically puts improving transit services as one of the agency's goals (ahead of the 95-JTA interchange, no less).

[CityLife]

I'm sure some people don't like to hear it, but the interchange at 95 and Butler is a pretty important need. For many in the metro area, it is the main access point to the beach, to UNF, to the Town Center, and to countless employers. I wish our past growth patterns hadn't made it such a vital corridor, but the reality is that it is one of the most significant (if not the most) interchanges in the city.

[thelakelander]

Let FDOT develop the needed flyover as a tolled one and call it a day.

[exnewsman]

I thought the city finally separated JTA from building roads and ordered them to focus solely on mass transit.

Or was that just a suggestion?

Ford sounds like another Blaylock to me!

The JTA is an independent state agency, not a division of the city. I think you're recalling a comment from Bill Bishop wishing it so.