Florida’s Port Canaveral’s new cruise terminal has come a step closer.
The Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) has contracted CH2M Engineering to provide the waterside design, engineering and support services for its new Cruise Terminal 3.
CPA commissioners approved the $1.2 mill funding for CH2M’s project management contract at its 7th June meeting, taking the first step in a two-year work plan to build a state-of-the-art facility able to serve cruise vessels with up to 8,000 pax calling at the port.
The new terminal will replace one of the oldest cruise terminals currently being used for single-day port calls.
“Port Canaveral continues to experience growth in all sectors and particularly in our cruise business,” said Port Canaveral CEO, Capt John Murray. “With 80% of our revenue from cruise operations, it’s important that we continuously improve our capabilities to meet the current and future needs some of the world’s largest, most sophisticated cruise ships.”
CH2M will assist CPA is securing permits from various state and local agencies, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The port will invest $150 mill for the new terminal, targeted for completion in 2019, which will support nearly 4,000 permanent jobs, in co-ordination with the port’s overall modernisation and improvement plans, including the channel widening and deepening, and repairs and improvements to cargo piers.
Recognising Port Canaveral’s economic role and responsibility in Brevard County and Central Florida, the CPA has invested $195 mill over the last few years in cruise terminal infrastructure, while remaining steadfast to its charter commitment to provide community access to the port’s parks and recreation facilities, it claimed.
“The popularity and avid use of the port’s Jetty Park recreation facilities adjacent to the CT-3 terminal, especially the public boat ramps and fishing areas, are very important to the port,” added Capt Murray. “The port’s Board of Commissioners has directed that engineering staff make continued public access to these areas a priority, and to ensure before, during, and after construction that boat parking is minimally impacted.
“The new cruise terminal plans absolutely demand that whatever parking area may be encumbered during construction will be replaced one-for-one. The net loss of any parking in that area will be negligible.
“Beginning with this design phase and on through the building phases, visitors may see engineers, contractors, equipment and port personnel working in and around the current terminal building and bulkhead. Down the road, it may be necessary to reconfigure some current parking spaces and set temporary limits for day parking at Jetty Park to accommodate construction equipment and crews,” he concluded.
