Florida port improvements

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will be funding US$150m in total and Jaxport in Jacksonville and the Port of Tampa are both in line to receive grants.

Jaxport CEO, Brian Taylor, said that Florida’s leaders understand the value of building port infrastructure today and more importantly “the returns that will come in the form of jobs and economic opportunity” in the future.

Jaxport will receive US$27.5m to include US$14.8m for Blount Island Terminal improvements. This will be spent on the development of terminal facilities, wharf rehabilitation and rail improvements.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Port Authority mean will receive around $23m. Much of this will be spent on the Port Redwing Project at Eastport where it will be spent on berthing, cargo storage, terminal equipment and rail and road connectivity.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has made it clear that port development is key to bolstering the state’s economy and maintaining the its position as a major player in international trade – especially in relation to the expansion of the Panama Canal.

The funding will largely go to making sure that Florida’s ports can accommodate the larger vessels moving through the canal.

Other Floridian ports in line to receive funding include Port Everglades, Miami , Manatee and Panama City.