Posted on December 11, 2017
By Will Robinson, Jacksonville Business Journal
The first phase of a project to deepen the St. Johns River has been delayed because the necessary dredging equipment will not arrive on time.
In September, California-based Dutra Group was awarded a $22 million contract to deepen the first three miles of the shipping channel from 40 to 47 feet. Dutra Group was expected to begin dredging Dec. 15, and the U.S. Army Corps estimated that deepening the first three miles would take 606 days.
However, Army Corps project manager for the Jacksonville district Jason Harrah warned Jaxport board members in October that the company might miss its estimated start date because its equipment was being used on other project sites.
Now, an Army Corps spokesperson has confirmed that the deepening project will not start until January. Dutra Group’s other projects were delayed due to weather events.
Dutra Group has not responded to repeated calls for comment.
The St. Johns Riverkeepers, who are currently suing the Army Corps and Jaxport, filed a motion Tuesday for the project to be delayed further until elements of its suit are addressed in court.
Source: Jacksonville Business Journal
