The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the award of approximately $26.6 million in federal grant funds for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s (JTA) North Corridor bus rapid transit (BRT) Project, which will provide more frequent and faster bus service to attract new riders and provide a needed transportation option in a heavily transit-dependent region.

The 9.4-mile North Corridor line is the second segment of a five-phased First Coast Flyer BRT system planned for the Jacksonville area. It will connect to the first BRT line in downtown Jacksonville now under construction and extend north to Interstate 295. The new service will also connect to the future Southeast Corridor and serve major employment centers, Florida State College at Jacksonville, UF Health Jacksonville, parks and regional shopping centers.

The FTA is contributing 80% of the $33.2 million total cost of the North Corridor project, including $20.2 million from FTA’s Small Starts Capital Investment Grant Program and $6.4 million in FTA Bus and Bus Facility funds. The remaining project costs are being covered by the Florida Department of Transportation and JTA.

The North Corridor project will have 18 stations, transit signal priority, real-time passenger information and off-board fare collection. It also will include the construction of a park-and-ride lot and the procurement of eight energy efficient compressed natural gas buses.

The JTA is also seeking Capital Investment Grant program funds for the next several planned BRT segments — the 11.1-mile Southeast Corridor, the 18.5-mile East Corridor and the 12.9-mile Southwest Corridor projects. JTA estimates that the entire BRT system will cover 57 miles and cost approximately $134.1 million.