JEA Fulton Cut Transmission Line Clearance Project

The Objective: JEA is raising the six transmission lines that cross the St. Johns River at the Fulton Cut. When completed, the lines will be 225 feet above high tide, giving larger vessels plenty of clearance.

Where It’s Happening: The project area stretches from Blount Island on the north side of the river to Fort Caroline on the south.

The current transmission lines and towers will be replaced with new, taller, stronger structures and includes lightning protection for increased reliability.

This project isn’t just about accommodating bigger ships – it’s about supporting Jacksonville’s future. 

Here’s what you can expect:

• Economic Growth: More ships, more jobs and a more resilient supply chain. This keeps JAXPORT – and Jacksonville – thriving.

• Improved Infrastructure: The upgrades strengthen our electric grid, making it more reliable for everyone.

• Modern Technology: Upgrading the electric transmission lines with advanced technology ensures enhanced resiliency and long-term performance.

The project is estimated to cost $117,000,000. Funding is from a combination of a State Grant, and contributions from COJ, JEA, and JaxPort.

No, the rate increase isn't for the higher payments to the city or for raising the power lines. The money for those expenses will come from bond restructuring savings achieved last fall and higher than anticipated electricity sales.

An analysis performed early on in the project calculated the cost to be 1.5X the cost of an overhead solution.

Removal of the old line to occur at the end of 2026, with removal of the towers in 2027.

During concrete pours there is a potential for nightwork, however it is not currently planned.

There may be helicopter noise at certain times of the day only when erecting/removing towers. During concrete pouring, you may hear/see increased truck traffic throughout the neighborhood.

No additional impacts along Ft Caroline Road are anticipated.

 While these projects are separate, we have established alternate traffic routes to avoid FDOT construction zones and are closely coordinating our efforts with FDOT.

No

It becomes property of the Contractor to be disposed.

No gates to be removed.

For the south gate, our goal is to provide construction foremen with gate access applications, enabling them to remotely operate the gate for deliveries. The northern gate, which provides access to Reed Island, will remain open during daytime work hours and will be closed outside of these hours, except when opened as needed for potential night work. This plan may be adjusted based on observed impacts to neighborhood traffic patterns.

 At the end of each foundation pour, or when otherwise needed the contractor will sweep the construction traffic routes.

At the final completion of the project planned for 2027.

No customer electric outages are anticipated.

JEA has no plans to repave the road prior to or following construction. However, consistent with our standard practices, the project team will thoroughly document and record preexisting conditions in the area—including roads, curbs, and grassy areas—before construction begins. Any areas impacted by our work will be restored to their original condition.

Depending on the extent of any damage, temporary repairs may be performed initially, with final paving and restoration of the road completed after the project concludes.

Increased truck traffic is anticipated from September 2025 through April 2026, though it will not be constant throughout this period. Instead, there will be intervals of relatively low activity followed by periods of heavier traffic, depending on onsite needs. Concrete foundation pours are expected to take approximately 3–4 weeks in total, occurring intermittently rather than consecutively.

 Vibrations will be limited primarily to the immediate construction area and are highly unlikely to affect nearby neighborhoods. Some vibrations may occur during foundation installation, particularly if limestone is encountered, but these are expected to be minimal. As a precaution vibration monitors will be installed throughout both the neighborhood and the construction site.

We will be installing 18 deep concrete pier foundations on Reed Island. These will range in size from 8 to 11 feet in diameter. The lengths will range from 78 feet to 116 feet. Concrete truck loads will range from 19 to 35 loads per foundation.

The majority of the heavy equipment (cranes, digging equipment, etc.) will be brough in by barge. Steel for the new towers and poles will be flown in in sections by helicopter from Blount Island. Concrete trucks and smaller equipment that can fit in between the curbs will be driven in through the neighborhood streets.

It is too risky to barge in concrete trucks. Once we start purring concrete for a foundation, we cannot stop until the foundation is fully filled in. If a concrete truck gets held up at the barge or if there are issues with barging, it would compromise the entire operation and possibly result with the abandonment of the foundation.

The new towers will feature light beacons and marker balls that flash at specific intervals used for warning air traffic of the clearance obstacles. These are going to be similar to what is present currently in order to meet Federal aviation requirements. We have no plans of lighting up the towers for other visual effects. The worksite area may be illuminated during the night if construction must proceed into the night hours for critical activates. Currently no nighttime work is planned.

We have instructed our contractor to include this requirement in communications with all subcontractors delivering materials through the neighborhood. All subcontractors will be required to comply with traffic laws and adhere strictly to construction speed limits within residential areas.

This was discussed with a representative from the HOA as a preference (open during work hours) from JEA/JAXPORT. However, the HOA has currently requested that the gate remain closed, opening only as needed to allow vehicle access. This arrangement is subject to change.