JAXPORT CROSSES A MAJOR HURDLE

[Ocklawaha]

Trouble is, President Obama has threatened a veto of the defense bill which could send JAXPORT back to start over.

Rep. Corrine Brown passed an amendment Friday to H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2013, to authorize funding for the Mile Point project.

“As a senior member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Corps of Engineers, I have served as one of the biggest advocates for the Port of Jacksonville,” Brown said in a news release. “I have also worked closely with the U.S. Corps of Engineers for several years to secure authorizing language and funding for the navigational improvements at Mile Point, and I am so pleased that with the passage of this amendment, that the Port will be even closer to fixing this dangerous problem.”

The Mile Point problem, which prevents large ships from calling on the port nearly two-thirds of the day, is the port’s most immediate obstacle to growth.

Fixing Mile Point, which will cost about $40 million, requires congressional authorization before the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers can begin work. In addition, the channel needs to be deepened from 40 feet to about 50 feet.

Rep. Ander Crenshaw said that this amendment clears the way for state and local funds on the project, enabling work to begin on the project.

“JaxPort and the state of Florida are prepared to put money forward to begin the long-overdue removal of navigation hazards at Mile Point. The sooner the work can begin, the better,” Crenshaw said in a news release. “The safe and efficient movement of cargo vessel traffic through Mile Point is central to the current and future economic prosperity and is in everyone’s best interest.”

JaxPort CEO Paul Anderson applauded the amendment, saying that this is the type of thinking and action that will get the nation moving again.

FOR A GRAPHIC AND MAP/ SOURCE ARTICLE: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2012/05/18/rep-brown-passes-amendment-clearing.html

[mtraininjax]

Corrine and Obama are tight, she will have him dancing on a hot plate for her.  That is when she's not whining about the Stand Your Ground law.

Fixing Mile Point, which will cost about $40 million, requires congressional authorization before the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers can begin work. In addition, the channel needs to be deepened from 40 feet to about 50 feet.

Whoa, them thar are 2 separate issues. Have to fix MP to even get ready for a deepening, which seems to now be missing the price tag of close to 1 billion dollars. Anderson made no real comments either, appearing humbled to fix MP first, then fight to the big money.