Gov. Rick Scott announces final phase of Mile Point project

Reconstruction of jetties allows JaxPort access for bigger cargo ships

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gov. Rick Scott officially kicked off JaxPort's Mile Point harbor dredging project Tuesday, which will remove existing navigational restrictions on the St. Johns River at Mile Point.

Scott stopped by Channel 4 Tuesday morning to discuss the major port initiative, state tourism and his political future.

Speaking with Bruce Hamilton, the governor said the Mile Point initiative will help bring new jobs to Jacksonville.

"We're the launch center for shipping, especially because the Panama Canal and railing system in Florida.  It's a variety. We just announced, when I was in California, we got Nestle to move their shipping from the Northeast going to Puerto Rico to JaxPort. So, there's a lot of opportunities," Scott said.

The Army Corps of Engineers began removing a portion of the Little Jetties to restore the natural flow of the water where the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway meet.

The dangerous crosscurrents prevented large ships from navigating the area between high tide and low tide. The $43.5 million project is correcting that, which means 3,500 new jobs at the port.

"The Mile Point investment will make an already ideal place to do business even better for those who want to get a job and raise a family," Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said at the port Tuesday. "When it is completed, it will yield a return on investment for Jacksonville's economy which will increase opportunity for our people."

"The benefits of this investment will continue to support opportunity for the port, our business partners and create jobs for our citizens for decades to come," JaxPort Chairman Dr. John Newman said. "By moving this project to completion, the governor, (Florida Department of Transportation) and JaxPort make good on our shared commitment to a vital Northeast Florida economy."

Mile Point consists of 5,000 feet of shoreline located along the north shore of the St. Johns River and east of the Intracoastal Waterway. Great Marsh Island and the Mile Point Training Wall divide Chicopit Bay. The project will combine the relocation of the existing training wall, the restoration of Great Marsh Island, and the creation of a flow-improvement channel for larger container ships.

"These investments in JaxPort will pay big dividends in trade volume, in the local economy and jobs for Floridians," Sen. Aaron Bean said.

"By investing in projects like the one we are celebrating today at Mile Point, we continue to position Florida as having the best transportation infrastructure in the country," Sen. Audrey Gibson said. "It is a proud moment for both the Legislature and the governor."

Scott also talked about the state's booming tourism numbers. Last year was a record year, with nearly 100 million people visiting the Sunshine State in 2014. Scott said that number continues to grow in 2015.

"This year, we had records for the first three months: 28 million tourists. The state is just so busy right now," Scott said. "I was talking to a restaurant owner in the Panhandle, they had the busiest Saturday night in five years. The state is so busy. It's great."

News4Jax asked Scott if he had plans to run for fellow Republican Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate seat in 2016. The governor said he already has a job, and he's trying to remain focused on it.


About the Author:

Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.