JAXPORT seeks TIGER funds to enhance Northeast Florida trade and transportation network
Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) has announced its application to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for $25m from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant for the construction of a $45m Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) at the Dames Point Marine Terminal. The balance of the funding — $20m — would come from the State of Florida.
With assistance from the City of Jacksonville and the commitment of state funds, the proposed ICTF would transport containerized cargo from ships to rail cars, increasing the port’s ability to move cargo quickly, reducing truck miles and decreasing exhaust emissions and highway maintenance costs.
The planned ICTF, at JAXPORT’s Dames Point Marine Terminal, located in close proximity to the port’s Blount Island Marine Terminal and other potential users will be able to take advantage of expected increased usage of the Suez Canal and the expansion of the Panama Canal, both of which are expected to greatly increase cargo volumes for US East Coast ports.
Beyond its economic benefits, the ICTF would also better leverage the fuel efficiency of freight rail. Trains can move a ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel, and can carry the loads of 280 trucks. The ICTF would also save $50m highway maintenance by taking some trucks off the road and reducing traffic congestion. With reduced truck traffic, the facility would reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 1.6m tons over the next 30 years.
The US DOT plans to award the TIGER Grants in early 2012. The JAXPORT ICTF has a target completion date at the end of 2014, contingent upon the awarding of funds.
Quelle: eyefortransport
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