JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Gov. Charlie Crist visited Jacksonville Monday to sign several bills, including one that will allow the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to expand to serve other northeast Florida counties.

House Bill 1213, which unanimously passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature, also allows the FTA to get more money from the state and federal governments and work on regional transportation projects.

"Today, we are creating new opportunities for the people of Duval County to have faster, safer and more efficient travel in the future," Crist said. "Access to reliable transportation is a cornerstone of independence and opportunity, and this bill will help ensure those liberties for decades to come."

"We understand that transportation and mobility are the keys to growth for our communities,” said JTA board Chairwoman Ava Parker. "The passing of this legislation will give us the opportunity to access more federal dollars. That will benefit not only Jacksonville, but all the surrounding counties."

The bill also lays the groundwork for a public-private partnership to build the First Coast Outer Beltway -- which would connect Interstates 10 and Interstate 95 through Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties -- and fund it with tolls.