Blount Island Marine Terminal

The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) is a leading US port for importing and exporting automobiles and the top containerized port in the state of Florida. The continued growth and demand for services requires full utilization of existing real estate.

Crane Rail Regrout and Wharf Rehabilitation/Upgrades
The Crane Rail Regrout Project included resetting of the existing crane rail, installation of continuous sole plates, and leveling grout for the landside crane rail that supports the gantry cranes. Construction also included removal of the existing crane rail paying particular attention to the existing structural components of the pier, installation of anchor bolts with a two-part epoxy resin, installation of crane rail sole plates, and construction of the crane rail itself. The verification of QC tests included torque testing of the anchor bolts and rail clips, production of grout cubes, and verification of rail alignment and elevations.

The Wharf Rehabilitation and Upgrades of the existing marginal cargo wharf is designed in six phases with a total length of 5,400 feet. The project consists of the demolition and reconstruction of on-wharf structures, to include the pile cap, ballasted deck, ballast, base, paving, drainage, railroad track and associated hardware. The project also includes construction of container and cargo crane tie-downs and stowage pins, and installation of new or restoration of existing crane auxiliary power and crane rails. Additional items include removal and replacement of existing wharf fenders, completion of cap and pre-stressed concrete, precast piling repairs, completion of steel sheet pile bulkhead repairs, and installation and testing of sacrificial cathodic protection. RS&H verified the contractors QC Plan, tracked all installed quantities, and ensured all repairs were completed and documented.

Terminal Nutrient Study
A number of wet detention and dry retention facilities currently provide treatment to areas of the island, and all basins on the island ultimately discharge to the St. Johns River. RS&H completed a study to identify the nutrient credits needed to mitigate filling in selected ponds at the BIMT. To determine the increase in nutrient loadings that would occur from the removal of a given treatment facility, RS&H performed and then compared pre-development (before pond removal) and post-development (after pond removal) calculations.

When applicable, the team utilized information from existing St. Johns River Water Management District or Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Assembling and consolidating information for 19 permits from various permitting agencies to develop a complete analysis proved to be a challenge. The team completed field investigations to ensure the accuracy of the permits.

The analysis resulted in a comprehensive report JAXPORT will use for planning of future expansion. In addition, JAXPORT has worked with the City of Jacksonville to develop options for compensatory mitigation that allows the city to address flooding concerns while allowing compensatory mitigation credits to JAXPORT. This allows retention/detention ponds to be converted into usable acreage for automobile and container operations. These operations provide for an increase in business in northeast Florida, which provides a significant positive economic impact for the region.