Gov. Rick Scott plans to announce this afternoon he’ll be seeking $38 million for upgrades to part of the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville to boost port traffic.
The Florida Times Union reported Monday that Scott will announce the effort to get lawmakers to put money into the Mile Point project to make it easier for ships to move through the tricky passage.
Port officials say hundreds of thousands of additional containers could come through the port if the current is eased in the stretch, a move Scott’s office says will create 3,500 additional jobs.
Scott has made port upgrades and increased trade though Florida ports a key part of his effort to boost jobs in the state.
The request will be part of Scott’s budget proposal due to lawmakers later this month.
