Bay Street Innovation Corridor
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) represents a transformational step toward the future of urban transportation. As part of this groundbreaking initiative, the Bay Street Innovation Corridor (BSIC) introduced autonomous vehicles to a three-mile stretch in downtown Jacksonville, establishing the foundation for an integrated autonomous vehicle network throughout the city and surrounding communities.
- Site work for Autonomous Innovation Center (AIC)
- Construction of autonomous vehicle route stops
- Pile driving and concrete flatwork
- Progressive Design-Build delivery
- Utility coordination and conflict resolution
The Work
The Bay Street Innovation Corridor is the inaugural phase of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) program. Along this three-mile path through the city, autonomous vehicles connect residential neighborhoods to Jacksonville’s downtown and entertainment district near EverBank Stadium.
Superior Construction performed comprehensive site work for the new Autonomous Innovation Center at La Villa, which serves as a public educational space and as an operations and maintenance facility for JTA’s electric and autonomous vehicle fleet. The scope included driving piles, constructing the facility’s parking lot, and executing all concrete flatwork, including foundation, topping slab, sidewalks, curbing, concrete benches, fence foundations, and decorative pavers. The team also built all route stops along the autonomous vehicle path.
The project team navigated significant challenges, such as replacing non-functioning valves and resolving utility conflicts where existing water lines were not located per as-built drawings. Additional complications arose when wooden piles from 1920s-era buildings were discovered, requiring real-time redesign of six footings. The Progressive Design-Build delivery method proved essential in accommodating these unforeseen conditions and evolving scope requirements.
Despite record heat and rainfall during foundation work, Superior maintained the contract schedule through around-the-clock operations and innovative problem-solving.
