• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Work to raise the electrical transmission lines crossing the St. Johns River in Fulton Cut, allowing the safe passage of larger vessels to Jaxport's Blount Island marine terminal, began with the involvement of helicopters to support this phase of the initiative.
An aircraft, along with specialized technicians, assisted contractors with the preliminary work required to install the new cabling between Blount Island, on the north bank of the river, and Reed Island, on the south bank.
Over the next few months, the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) will use helicopters to prepare for the placement of conductors across the St. Johns River. Initially, ropes and pulleys are being used to string the conductors and cables across the new towers.
JEA, in collaboration with the City of Jacksonville and Jaxport, is raising the transmission lines from their current height of 56.39 meters to 68.58 meters, providing 62.48 meters of operational air draft.
The project supports the growth of international container trade in Jacksonville, which generates 15,000 jobs throughout the region. The new infrastructure also allows JEA to strengthen its electrical grid.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan commented that "with this important project reaching a new milestone, the City of Jacksonville's investment will create jobs, attract new businesses, and contribute to the growth of our port, which is already a world leader in trade. We appreciate the collaboration with Jaxport, JEA, and the State of Florida."
Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland noted that "every investment in our rapidly growing port is an investment in jobs for Jacksonville. By raising the power lines to accommodate larger vessels, Jaxport and JEA are boosting international trade, growing our city's economy, and creating more opportunities for Jacksonville businesses and families."
Vickie Cavey, JEA Managing Director and CEO, stated that "we have reached a significant milestone in this project thanks to our strong collaboration with Jaxport and the City of Jacksonville. The Fulton Cut power line project reinforces JEA's commitment to its customers, offering them greater reliability, while supporting the future economic development of Northeast Florida."
"Today marks a significant step towards the completion of a project that will benefit Jacksonville and Florida for generations. By increasing the air draft at Florida's largest container port, we enhance our ability to serve larger vessels, strengthen supply chains, and support thousands of jobs related to international container trade. We thank the Florida Department of Transportation, the City of Jacksonville, and JEA for collaborating with Jaxport to make this transformative investment possible," said Eric Green, Jaxport CEO.
