In 2000, the City of Jacksonville, Florida, unveiled its Better Jacksonville Plan (BJP) to catch up with infrastructure challenges that accompanied its rapid growth. Of the $2.25 billion comprehensive growth management strategy, $1.5 billion was earmarked for roads and infrastructure.

Ayres Associates was awarded two of the BJP’s major roadway projects along busy Collins Road in southwest Jacksonville. The projects, totaling nearly 3 miles of roadway, are paving the way for a much-needed east-west arterial in the heavily traveled area. Expansion along Collins Road will transform the two-lane rural road into a four-lane, median-divided urban roadway with curb and gutter, sidewalks, bike lanes, a landscaped median, closed drainage system, intersection signalization, lighting, and utility system improvements.

The section from Blanding Boulevard to Rampart Road, currently under construction, includes the challenges of establishing a major interchange at I-295 and relocating extensive water, force main, and electric utilities.