Posted on February 6, 2018
By Will Robinson, Jacksonville Business Journal
Dutra Group began deepening the first three miles of the St. Johns River on Feb. 3.
“We are very pleased to initiate construction on this nationally significant project,” Col. Jason Kirk, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville district commander, said in a statment. “The Jacksonville Harbor deepening project ensures our nation’s infrastructure stays strong, which in turn boosts the United States economy, bolsters global competitiveness, creates jobs, and reduces risk.”
Dutra Group missed the stated Dec. 15 start date when its dredging vessel was delayed on a project at the Port of Canaveral, then missed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ mandatory start date, Jan. 31, due to issues with its tugboat. The California-based dredging and marine construction company risks financial penalties if it does not finish the project by July 31, 2019, the Army Corps previously told the Business Journal.
Dutra Group won the $22.8 million contract for the first phase of the project, Contract A, which will deepen the river to 47 feet. About 3 million cubic yards will be dredged from the first three miles of the channel and placed at the designated disposal site six miles southeast of the entrance channel jetties. Work will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to the Army Corps.
Jaxport, the local sponsor of the deepening project, noted that deeper water would lead to larger vessels and thus, more business for the First Coast.
“What a huge day for our city, our region and our state,” Jaxport CEO Eric Green said in a statement. “Effective federal, state and local leaders working together with our maritime and business communities made this a reality. It is exhilarating to see this historic project come to life to help ensure that we continue to put our citizens to work.”
The second phase of the project, Contract B, will advertise for contract bids in June 2018, the Army Corps perviously told Jaxport’s board. The 1,804-day project will deepen miles three through eight at an estimated cost of $187 million, although the contract for the first phase cost only half its estimate. No blasting is allowed in this phase.
Source: Jacksonville Business Journal
