Port of Palm Beach to launch $26 million upgrade
A $26 million restoration project at the Port of Palm Beach is expected to begin construction by the end of this year or in early 2013, a port official said, Palm Beach Post
reports.
Advance drainage and paving work creating a cargo area for tenants has begun as part of the expansion of Slip Number 3, built 60 years ago, said Tom Lundeen, deputy port director and port engineer.
The main project is expected to be advertised for bids in August, Lundeen said. Completion is anticipated in 2014.
The historic infrastructure improvement project includes expanding the slip on the north side to increase the width of the basin. A roll-on/roll off ramp will be added to the slip's west side, increasing the number of such ramps at the port to five.
The project's funding includes $20 million allocated by the Florida Department of Transportation, with the port providing the additional $6 million.
The port has also applied for a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant to enable it to add a marginal wharf that will then allow for an even wider berth at the slip.
In 2011, 1.3 million tons of cargo was shipped through Slip Number 3, which is used for freight handling, underground asphalt, fuel oil and diesel lines and the loading and unloading of cement. It also has a fixed conveyor used to load sugar on to vessels and an underground molasses pipeline with an above ground hose to connect to bulk carriers.
The slip is one of three at the port. Slip Number 1 was rebuilt in 2000 and Slip Number 2 was rebuilt in the mid-80s, Lundeen said.
Construction jobs will be created, but Lundeen said the number of jobs isn't known at this time.
New port tenants include Stonerock Shipping Corp. of Delaware, a large-scale bulk metals export logistics and shipping service, and Black Diamond Casino Inc., a day cruise operation.