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The Obama administration will fast-track a study of deepening Jacksonville's ship channel so the report gets finished a year earlier, advancing the city's quest to be an international trade gateway.
The administration will formally announce the accelerated schedule Thursday morning, before President Barack Obama's campaign rally at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville.
Join Jacksonville.com's live blog coverage of Obama's visit
The Army Corps of Engineers has previously said it expected to complete a feasibility study in 2014 for deepening the channel. The administration will move up that date to April 2013, according to the administration.
The sooner the feasibility study is completed, the quicker the Jacksonville Port Authority can seek funding to start designing the project and ultimately do the dredging, which will likely cost several hundred million dollars.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday ports like Jacksonville have a chance to grow substantially because expansion of the Panama Canal will send bigger cargo ships to the East Coast.
"For cities like Jacksonville, this kind of opportunity comes around once in a lifetime, and you have to be ready, willing and able to take advantage of the opportunity," LaHood said. "Certainly, I think Jacksonville will be."
The president's proposed 2013 budget contains $1.4 million for the study.
Mayor Alvin Brown issued a statement saying the accelerated study "shows continuing support for my administration's vision for enhancing the port as a central engine for jobs."
St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman said her organization is concerned the faster schedule won't adequately address the environmental effects of dredging. She said the corps showed a completion date of late 2014 for the feasibility study when the agency hosted a public meeting in May.
"We want to review that process to see how you fast-track something so important and keep the integrity of the process," she said. "We're very concerned about the environmental impacts."
The Army Corps is evaluating the environmental and economic impact of dredging to a depth of up to 50 feet. The faster schedule is part of an administration initiative for public construction projects. Obama signed an executive order in March to speed up the permitting and review process.
Jacksonville's 40-foot ship channel is too shallow to accommodate fully loaded mega-ships that will come through the Panama Canal after it is enlarged in 2014.
The administration also will expedite approval by July 2013 of federal permits for construction of a $30 million railroad yard on Dames Point. The faster process will shave a few months off the usual review time, according to a senior administration official.
The yard will transfer cargo containers between ships and trains, giving the TraPac terminal the ability to attract more cargo headed to inland states.
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded JaxPort a $10 million grant last year to help pay for the railroad yard. JaxPort plans to open it in 2014.
The administration plans to expedite 43 projects nationwide. The first seven projects will be at five ports, including Miami and Savannah, Ga.
LaHood said Jacksonville's push to expand its port fits the administration's focus on ports nationwide.
"We believe ports are the economic engine that are really driving communities and creating lots of jobs," he said. "We think that will certainly be the case with Jacksonville."
The stimulus bill of 2009 provided $34 million to deepen the channel to 40 feet along a 5.3-mile stretch leading to the Talleyrand terminal. Finished in 2010, that dredging gave Jacksonville 40-foot depth for the channel's entire 20-mile length.
The current study is examining about 15 miles from the mouth of the river at Mayport to a point west of the Dames Point bridge.
david.bauerlein@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4581
Comments (22)
Add commentSweet!
Sweet!
Amazing how the
Amazing how the administration is supoprting the campaign in time for a campaign stop in an election year. Talk about pandering!
Please don't mention any of
Please don't mention any of this to Gov. Dark Lord. He'll probably try to find some way to sabatoge the President's plans regardless of how much it helps Jacksonville because that's his Tea party duty.
Another waste of Taxpayer
Another waste of Taxpayer money!!!!!
Unfortunately, promises, programs and sprinkling of MILLIONS / BILLIONS of OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS (much like the Sky Ride) are all SOME gullible citizens need to hear!
Surely, smart Cowford County Citizens are not that stupid?
Or do we get to experience another Crimehouse experience in the water...many time$$$$$$$ over.
Someone please call Corrine!!! Well, I suppose nuff said.
And here comes the politics!
And here comes the politics! God forbid the President do sonmething to help this town! Oh I forgot! If it was "W" then this would be good news...
I like it, sounds like it
I like it, sounds like it could create many jobs. It would also be nice if jacksonville could eventually export something to other nations
@Real, I'm sorry how is the
@Real, I'm sorry how is the dredging of the port even comparable to the city skyway? One project was local, and the other is international. This dredging will have a positive impact on Jax, and if we don't take the money and opportunity to dredge our port trust me Charleston and Savannah will. This isn't a waste of money at all. This is an international opportunity, not just a local thing like the skyway. The problem with the skyway is that it doesn't go anywhere, not even to our stadium. The Panama Canal will expand, and some port on the east coast is going to get significantly larger, that's just called PROGRESS. Demand has grown significantly since the Panama Canal was first opened, this is going to happen one way or another. I seriously can't understand your logic (or obvious lack there of) as someone who lives in jax, this is really good news even if it is coming from Obama. Is your blind hate for this president really causing you to doubt even the most elementry and blunt signs of development? Would you really want to condemn this city for generations just because this opportunity cost money (money that is going to get spent on this project regardless)? We built the interstate to help facilitate commerce as our country continued to grow, I guess you think that was money wasted too
Ace - good comment other then
Ace - good comment other then this is not a cost but investment with Jax as the receipents. There will be jobs and with jobs comes taxes which ultimately pays for itself and Jax benefits. The problem is it is coming from a democrat just before an election. God forbid the President would do anything now or it will be considered pandering!
Fast-track??? April 2013 is
Fast-track??? April 2013 is "fast-track"???? In case nobody is paying attention, that is 10 months away. No this is not a fast-track for anyone but a politician.
Remember this is only for the feasibility study. This has nothing to do with actually bidding and dredging.
Just like Obamacare -- everything happens after the election
I have commented on this
I have commented on this several times before. And I'm aware it is against what many posters wish or think.
I have presented the facts in details before as to why I feel it will and is another boondoggle for the Taxpayer. However, I do not have time to list all the reasons in this response.
Some of the facts include; within just a few hours of Jax Port are the Ports of Savannah, The Port of Brunswick, The Port of Ft Lauderdale (Everglades) and the Port of Miami.
The Ports of Savannah, Everglades and Miami are all currently (Savannah is set to go) well underway with major (multi-million $) upgrades. For Jax to just begin dredging...bear in in environmental studies have not been completed...especially in regard to the impact it would have on the St. Johns. Jax Port at best offers 3 interstates exiting, I-95S, I-95N and I-10 W. Jax Port has only one major railroad that will service its property. Geographically, Jax is simply not located where the majority of imports are distributed, either by highway or rail. And on top of those reasons, who the heIl is capable of operating this proposed boondoggle without corruption, politics, kickbacks and with a high degree of integrity?
I'm not even mentioning the major Ports north of Savannah. South Carolina has recent approprted millions of dollars for improvements in their State with studies already cleared on a couple of their larger ones.
This would be another Sky Ride, huge investment with little or no real return. Millions and millions and millions every year...with the clowns that run this town and their history, they wouldn't stop until it would become billions & billions and billions wasted.
It is amazing how many people
It is amazing how many people can not read.
@I.M.H.O- The Army Corp is being told to complete the study by April of 2013 instead of sometime in 2014 as they had planned on. That is 9 months (not 10) compared to a minimum of 18 months (Jan 2014). That is at least in half the time, so yeah that would be a fast track. The actual study itself can not be done over a weekend. It takes many months to be done properly.
@Drem- the article says that this is part of a larger initiative began in March to speed up the permitting process for all public projects and will affect 7 projects involving 5 different U.S. ports, not just Jacksonville. It is not being done as a local campaign issue and was set in motion way before Obama's visit here was planned , but it makes since for it to be announced officially during a visit. I doubt he will visit all 5 affected port cities though.
@Real- The dredging is important for Jax to be able to handle the new larger ships that will be coming through the Panama Canal when its expansion project is finished in 2014. The article also mentions that the rail lines are being expanded. We already have enough other infrastructure in place to handle the traffic. We also have easy access to several cross country interstates that all the other close ports lack. Geographically no other port is better situated in the Southeast U.S. then Jacksonville. We have easy access via I-295 to I-95 and I-10 and the junction of I-10 with I-75 is only about an hour away. With Miami and the Everglades, trucks have an extra 300 plus miles to travel compared to Jax for cross country cargo. Savannah only has access to I-95 and I-16 (which really only gives easy access to Atlanta). I lived in Charleston for 24 years before moving here in 1997. I still visit there several times a year( as recently as last month). Charleston only has I-26 which is a real mess locally and the junction it provides to I-95 has ramps barely suitable for a few cars much less heavy truck traffic. The only other real option to reach I-95 is US Highway 17 which is only 2 lanes in some sections. Jax will surely be a top destination for shippers with a deeper channel. .
Timm I fully understand why
Timm
I fully understand why dredging is desired from the standpoint of navigation. I also know Jax only has 1 major railroad to service the Port. Savannah has BOTH east coast railroads and a Regional.
If you look at a map, you can also see where Savannah has the following interstates within a couple of hours...I-95N, I-95S, I-16W, I-26E and I-26W another few minutes out and you add 1-20E and I-20W, a total of 7. As I stated before Jax has 3, 4 if you include I-75N.
As you may or may not be aware, Savannah is one of the fastest growing Ports in the U.S. and handles one of the highest percentages of container units of any domestic port. It has already gotten approval and funding to enlarge their port and deepen the channels. Approval for the environmental studies...State, Federal, Local, U.S. Corps, etc. took almost 7 years and by the time dredging actually begins will likely be 8 1/2 years.
Yes, I'm aware Jax is in dire need of something economically impactful to take place.
Yes, I'm aware Jax's City Idiots have invested Taxpayer money in many shady, corrupt and unneeded city "projects" for decades. THIS REASON ALONE MAKES ME LEARY OF ANYTHING LOCAL GOVT IS INVOLVED WITH!
Yes, I'm aware Jax's real estate market is in pathetic condition.
Yes, I'm aware the city is in the midst of a SEVERE fiscal shortfall.
Yes, I'm aware Jax has the highest murder rate in the State.
Yes, I'm aware with property values down the city coffers are shallow.
Yes, I'm aware Jax needs capital investment.
Yes, I'm as aware the Federal Government is in just as dire (if not) worse condition. For that reason, I see no logical reason for our Taxpayer money be involved with duplicate facilities.
Yes, it would be nice if major PRIVATE or CORPORATE investment came here rather than ANOTHER GOVERNMENT boondoggle!
I did not get into what the Port of Miami seriously offers, but they are well underway with facility upgrades and you talk about a top destination internationally, Miami has it...
Everyone seems to be fiscally conservative except to when they are in line for government money...funny how that works isn't it?
@Timm Obbi thank-you for a
@Timm Obbi thank-you for a resonable post. @REAL what are we suppose to do just fold up tent and say nope not intersated. To all naysayers we finially have solution to theproblem of un-employment and other problems of this great, yes I said great city. Please do not blow this one.
jeffery *In response to your
jeffery
*In response to your question and thought(s) (bottom):
What Jax needs to do is what ALL cities do to attract private corporations, factories, plants, etc. MAKE YOUR CITY ATTRACTIVE TO ALL. This typically includes basic city services...a safe environment (with as little exposure to crime as possible), a good educational system, a good highway system, a good quality of life... including cultural, sporting, educational, etc events, with a low cost of living, a "happening city" that generates citizen pride is also a plus. To many (me included) a decent airport with multiple direct flights is highly important...Jax needs improvement in many of those items.
Here's the way this dream will play out. Those gullible enough to think this is a free handout is just what O'bama assumes...I can see from the tone of many posters...he's right. O'bama will promise and probably deliver on fronting some money...thus basically buying many local citizens vote. Some will then think it's a done deal! Wow, Golly geez, we will become a utopia as long as Jax passes the Anti-Gay Bill just as many seemed locked in on. In the end, this project will go back to status quo after the election and be delayed years, possibly decades before anything REALLY happens.
As I mentioned (and I'm not a tree hugger) the environmental impact studies on the St. John's River has not been fully evaluated...that itself will be a barrel of snakes.
In the meantime we as a country, city and state are scraping the bottom of the barrel for every dollar they can find just to provide basic services. Of course, a Taj Mahal Crimehouse in Jax is only ONE of the exceptions.
*REAL what are we suppose to do just fold up tent and say nope not intersated. To all naysayers we finially have solution to theproblem of un-employment and other problems of this great, yes I said great city. Please do not blow this one.
Savannah is getting
Savannah is getting $650,000,000 for its port. AJC article more comprehensive with a list of all cities getting Fed money. For the gullible, this is the president buying Christmas presents, the sweet part of the campaign, to balance out the other side, the Chicago machine scorched earth politics of smearing your opponent. Problem is the gullible may just be in the majority now.
Other than the money that
Other than the money that will come into the Jacksonville’s economy while we are using tax dollars to pay someone to dig a deeper ditch, where is the specific business plan - pro forma - of the Port Authority. What is going to be shipped in -by which clients -then distributed out to where. The plan that show how the port will make a profit sufficient to pay off the debt of the one to two billion dollars ($1,000,000,000 to $ 2,000,000,000) that we will have to borrow to prepare the port for operation.
What do we have to export? These tankers will go to ports where they can not only unload but pick up cargo to take with them so that they are not “dead heading” leaving with an empty ship. That’s the profit for them.
earnit; No doubt the gullible
earnit;
No doubt the gullible citizens and City Clowns of Cowford County have long since figured this silly, minor, long recognized issue out...yeah right.
It doesn't take a genius to look at the various Projects and Programs the City Clowns have selected & wasted MILLIONS & BILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS on. Most have clearly failed (miserably) in either their benefit, value or mission!
Of course, it has helped the "select few" in their endeavor$. Obviously, a few contractor$, judge$, lawyer$, football team owner$$$, most politician$ and / or ex-politician$, many city agency head$ and of course, most of the mayor'$ and their $taff'$.
grizzly;
If you thought our City Clowns can screw up a simple, straightforward 180 MILLION DOLLAR Crimehouse (original cost), that ultimately cost the Taxpayer 400 MILLION DOLLARS, many say 800 MILLION DOLLARS is closer to actual cost and with delays that extended for years...
Just wait till the idiots get some big money!!!!
Someone please call Corrine! Possibly most gullible of them all...with the exception of her gullible followers...difficult to believe the citizenry of Jokesonville seemingly live up to that Title on a daily basis.
@Real you seem so unhappy.
@Real you seem so unhappy. Why do you even live here? This is exactly what Jacksonville needs. Bring it!
joeblow... As indicated in a
joeblow...
As indicated in a post that apparently did not make it.
I am quite content.
I am simply trying to educate the gullible, ignorant, stupid, naive, simplistic and crooked citizen of Cowford County.
And I'm only talking about the city politicians!
As a direct follow up question: Are there any projects, programs or Taxpayer funded items the City Clowns have spent $$$$$$$$ on that appears to be a worthwhile investment to you?
If so, please name 3 programs / projects.
Looking forward to the response.
AND you have confidence Jax Govt can make this work...feasibility?
@Timm Obi -- what is most
@Timm Obi -- what is most amazing is how some people are so arrogant they actually believe that anyone that disagrees with them is dumb or can't read.
Doing a job in half the time originally planned by the govt does not make it fast track.
After speaking with some
After speaking with some Savannah Port Personnel in the know, it appears I misquoted...instead of 7 - 8 1/2 years being correct for all "environmental concerns" to be approved. It actually took 17 YEARS from start to approval time.
Their situation includes nothing like the "sensitive" dredging the mouth (actually opposite end...much more complex) the St. John's River offers. Yes, I know Jax has unbelievable POLITICAL SAVVY and even though our Mayor was not in present to greed the President, today Jax is # 1 on Obama' s list...plain and simple.
Fast forward: All you gullible citizens that believe...JaxPort will rule in 2034. At 6 times the projected cost, less than 1/10 the impact forecast and with 4 MORE years of delay time added to the process. All at a MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR commitment...yeah another brilliant move!!!!!!!
All the while downtown Jax has absolutely NOTHING going on, the Jags are AGAIN wondering where they will land if they are indeed around, the Sheriff is simply trying to protect the city (Jax has risen to # 3 nationally regarding murder) the Sky Ride Commissioner is requesting another 10 MILLION DOLLARS to operate the Sky Ride another year (all 79 users mostly homeless have committed...in 2012 it required 5-6 MILLION DOLLARS to simply keep it open), the city pension again has nearly brought all city functions to a halt (thank goodness creative budgeting pulls the city out...again), JAA announced a direct flight outside of the standard Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Nashville & Memphis connections routine, Judges are demanding (and will undoubtedly get), 17 MILLION DOLLARS for new furniture at the now aging Taj Crime Mahal (opened in 2012), JTA is proposing an 18 MILLION DOLLAR Campaign to make the I-295 loop the "Beltway" (silly, I know, they don't), and FINALLY Jax has reached pre-2010 real estate values.
Question: C'mon Cowford County Citizens...we surely aren't that stupid?