The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, has awarded a Mile Point Training Wall Reconfiguration contract to Manson Construction Company of Seattle, Wash., for $39.5 million.
The project will help improve navigation on the St. Johns River, increasing commerce efficiencies. Added project benefits include restoring local, historic channel flow and increasing marsh habitat by up to 34 acres more than the mitigation requirement.
Located on the St. Johns River near Mayport, the Mile Point project combines relocation and reconfiguration of an existing stone (training) wall, restoration of Great Marsh Island, and creation of a flow improvement channel in Chicopit Bay.
The Corps estimates construction will take 12-18 months with completion anticipated in the winter of 2016.
The Mile Point area limits navigation during ebb tide due to difficult cross-currents at the convergence of the St. Johns River with the Intracoastal Waterway. There’s currently a navigation restriction during ebb tide that affects all vessels with a transit draft greater than 33 feet inbound and 36 feet outbound, inhibiting the free movement of vessel traffic. The project will not only improve vessel transit efficiency, but also reduce safety hazards from this section of the river.
The project is funded in partnership with JaxPort, the local sponsor, which advanced 100 percent of the construction cost under an advanced funds agreement.
Part of the Mile Point project infrastructure includes Helen Cooper Floyd Park, which will remain closed throughout construction. The park will be used as an equipment staging area and also contain extensive construction activity throughout project operations.
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