GAI provided construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Phase 1 of the Emerald Trail, a 1.3-mile segment in downtown Jacksonville, referred to as the “Model Mile”. This initial segment of the trail, which opened in spring 2024, connects the Brooklyn and LaVilla neighborhoods to the S-Line rail trail via multiple multimodal access points. It also includes the Park Street Bridge, which spans McCoy’s Creek. The Model Mile represents the first milestone of this significant project, and is intended to be a key driver to revitalizing these historic downtown neighborhoods.

GAI’s CEI team oversaw the day-to-day operations of the project while coordinating with the City of Jacksonville, Groundwork Jacksonville, and other stakeholders such as businesses and property owners along the trail corridor. Services included authorizing field changes after performing in-depth engineering analyses, managing the project budget, and value engineering.

When complete, the Emerald Trail will serve as the centerpiece for downtown Jacksonville, encompassing approximately 30 miles of bicycle and pedestrian pathways within the city limits and linking 14 historic neighborhoods—as well as parks, green spaces, and recreational amenities—to promote healthy lifestyles and safety while attracting new users, businesses, and residents to the area.