JTA CEO’s mention of tolls in Jacksonville sparks reaction from residents, mayor who oppose the return

A discussion of tolling authority by Jacksonville Transportation Authority interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson has prompted pushback from drivers and Mayor Donna Deegan, though JTA says it is not proposing tolls.At a Friday meeting of the City Council’s Financial Oversight and Audit Select Committee, Ferguson said JTA has tolling authority and described a hypothetical project involving a private partner and an existing JTA asset, such as the Skyway.“You can imagine working with a private partner on a toll role, let’s call it the Skyway,” Ferguson said, referring to a potential way to generate revenue.In a statement on its website, JTA said Ferguson was not proposing or advocating for the reinstatement of bridge tolls. The authority said he mentioned tolling in the historical context of JTA’s former role as an expressway authority.“It hasn’t been used in a long, long time,” Ferguson said. He described past opportunities to retain roads and charge tolls, including the possibility of an HOV la