Port Canaveral demolition begins

High-tech cruise terminal is the largest project in the port’s history.    Port Canaveral has commenced the largest single construction project in its history. Demolition of the port’s oldest cruise terminal began Thursday to make way for a new state-of-the-art terminal with upgraded berth and a new parking garage. 
   Deconstruction of the existing Cruise Terminal 3 (CT-3) facility is expected to be completed by July.  
   “This is a moment we have been waiting for. The new hi-tech, fully modernized cruise terminal will enhance our ability to welcome some of the largest and most advanced cruise ships in the world,” said Capt. John Murray, port CEO. “The cruise industry is projected to grow significantly over the next several years and with this new terminal, our port is well positioned to keep pace with that growth.”
   The entire construction project is a multi-phased program spanning 20 months utilizing five separate contracts. Demolition of the existing terminal building began in mid-April for a total cost of $210,000. Subsequent phases of the project include berth demolition, dredging and waterside construction; constructing passenger boarding bridges; terminal construction with related site work; and the adjacent parking facility. The planned elevated parking structure will have capacity to accommodate approximately 1,800 vehicles in secure, covered parking.
   Canaveral Port Authority and its cruise partner will invest approximately $150 million in building and equipping a new two-story 188,000-square-foot terminal and parking building. Once completed, the new terminal, berth and adjacent parking facilities will accommodate up to 6,500 cruise guests. 
   The terminal’s design and planned technology features include fully functional, modernized systems to facilitate U.S. Customs and Border Protection screenings of arriving passengers and integrated mobile passenger check-in to expedite the passenger ship boarding process.
   “Port Canaveral continues to experience growth in all sectors and particularly in our cruise business,” Murray said. “It’s important that we continuously invest in our capabilities and grow our capacity to ensure we support the needs of our cruise partners today and remain well positioned to meet their demands of tomorrow.”
   Port Canaveral’s new Terminal 3 is targeted for completion in late 2019 or early 2020 and will support an estimated nearly 4,000 permanent jobs in combination with the port’s overall modernization and improvement plans, including the channel widening and deepening, repairs and improvements to cargo piers.