Dames point being shutdown Saturday morning

[David]

http://news.jacksonville.com/justin/2008/08/08/dames-point-bridge-being-shut-down-briefly-saturday-morning/

"The Dames Point bridge will be closed in both directions at 10 a.m. Saturday for about 30 minutes.
The closing is needed to allow a ship carrying container cranes for a new terminal at Dames Point to pass safely beneath the bridge.

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol officers will block traffic in the area, including entrances to Florida 9A and Heckscher Drive and Merrill Road and Southside Boulevard.

This is the second time that the bridge has been closed because of a container crane delivery. A third crane shipment is expected in the fall."

It seems the height limitations of the Dames Point are becoming more and more apparent every year. This is the 4th time in recent memory they've shut it down due to safety concerns caused by large ships barely squeezing through. Is there anymore news about constructing a new cruise line terminal east of the bridge so we can get larger ships in? I had heard proposals circulating a few years ago but it's dropped off my radar since then.

Here's a link to a year old thread from Ock with similiar concerns:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,1064.0.html

[Jason]

The new Cruise terminal is proposed for Mayport.

[David]

I thought so. But as far as Jaxport is concerned that's staying put and expanding I assume? From what I read in that old thread, it seems that the bridge height is hindering port traffic due to the size of ships that can pass safely underneath.

[Jason]

Exactly.  The largest port expansions are east of the bridge, although Tallyrand is severly hindered by the bridge height.  Soon, I would expect almost all of the port facilities to move east of Dames Point which would have a heafty effect on the ecology and the existing infrastructure.