JEA’s board of directors has agreed to contribute $32.5 million toward raising power lines over the St. Johns River to allow for passage of larger cargo ships to and from JaxPort.
On a unanimous vote Feb. 25, the six-member board approved an interlocal agreement in which JEA, JaxPort and the city of Jacksonville would help cover higher-than-expected costs of elevating the six high-voltage lines from their current height of 175 feet to 225 feet.
In May 2022, JEA contracted with global engineering firm Worley Group for a feasibility study that estimated the cost of the project at $42 million to $54.4 million.
When the design process was completed, the cost estimate more than doubled to $117 million.
During a meeting Capital Projects Committee hearing before the board meeting, JEA executive Ricky Erixton said the feasibility study was conceptual — a “can we do it or not? kind of thing” — and “left out a couple of elements” of the work. Once those elements were factored into the project, he said, the estimate rose drastically.
Erixton, vice president of electric systems for JEA, said the utility had used Worley on projects involving overland transmission lines but no longer contracts with the company.
On Feb. 24, JaxPort’s board approved $32.5 million for the project, which adds to $52 million committed previously by the port the state Department of Transportation and the city.
According to a JaxPort spokesperson, the port’s $32.5 million contribution will come from funds available in its capital program and from new borrowing.
The interlocal agreement will require Jacksonville City Council approval to be finalized.
According to the agreement, FDOT committed to providing $22.5 million and the city will contribute $29.5 million including $7 million in cost savings credited to the city from funding previously approved for the $420 million deepening of the St. Johns River harbor channel to allow larger ships to use the port.
The project was completed in 2022.
The city’s funding, which was approved by Council in 2023, includes a $10 million grant, $12.5 million loan and $5 million bridge loan.
Under the interlocal agreement, the city would provide an additional $5 million in contingency funding in case costs of the project exceed $117 million.
The project involves building new towers on both banks of the river. Helicopters, cranes and large trucks will be used to build the towers and raise the lines, which are near JaxPort’s Blount Island Terminal and connect to JEA’s Northside Generating Station. Most of the power transmitted through the lines goes to South Jacksonville, Erixton said.
Erixton said the larger cargo ships require 205 feet of clearance. The additional 75 feet is needed to maintain electrical safety, he said.