Jacksonville port looks to start dredging in 2008

Jacksonville port looks to start dredging in 2008 Officials from the Port of Jacksonville expect to see a new round of dredging work begin in the St. Johns River during 2008.
   Congress allocated $2.8 million for dredging in the Port of Jacksonville's ship channel as part of the $555 Omnibus Appropriations legislation passed Dec. 17. That provided the final piece of the financing package for work on a 5.3-mile section of the river between the port's Dames Point and Talleyrand terminals. The total cost of that section of the river is an estimated $20 million.
   The port has been deepening its channel in sections as funding is allocated. The work slated to begin in 2008 will bring the depth from 38 feet to 40 feet. Some sections of the channel are already at 40 feet.
   Port spokeswoman Nancy Rubin told the Florida Caribbean Connection that the upcoming dredging will be concentrated on an area known as the Chaseville Turn, which is now the most difficult section for large vessels to navigate. Larger commercial vessels cannot now call Jacksonville with maximum loads because of the channel limitations.
   Port director Rick Ferrin has said the port has extensive plans underway for more ambitious dredging projects. Permits and funding for dredging projects take years. But eventually, the port hopes to deepen the channel all the way to the Talleyrand Terminal, which is the furthest terminal inland on the river.