JAXPORT harbor deepening takes “first scoop”

Years in the making, Jacksonville’s Harbor Deepening project has begun.

JAXPORT shared video of the “first scoop” Saturday. The Dutra Group has the contract to deepen the first three mile segment of this 11 mile project, which is expected to take about two years to complete. This contract is valued at $22.8 million.

This work was supposed to start earlier this week, but was delayed a few days because of repairs needed to a tugboat that was to be used to bring the dredge in to the channel. The US Army Corps of Engineers doesn’t expect the delay will have any impact on the greater project.

The project will deepen the shipping channel to 47 feet, something which JAXPORT says is vital to bringing in the largest container ships, and allowing them to be more fully loaded. JAXPORT says the Asian container trade is the fastest growing segment of their container business, and this travels on some of the largest ships. JAXPORT says bringing in these bigger ships will mean more jobs for the area.

The initial plan was to dredge 13 miles, but that was pared back to 11 miles for various reasons, including environmental factors and cost. Shortening the length to be dredged dropped the price tag from an estimated $700 million, to $484 million. The first leg of the project is a good sign for those who are concerned about cost, because all of the bids that were submitted- including the one that was chosen- came in well under the estimated budget.

Funding for the entire project has not yet been secured.