OHPA approves $11.25 million federal grant application

In a unanimous vote on Thursday, the Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA) approved the submission of a major federal grant application to restore and modernize key infrastructure at the Port of Fernandina. The application, seeking $11.25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), is due on Wednesday.

The grant would fund a sweeping series of repairs and upgrades aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, and resilience of the small but strategically located port on the Amelia River. The project is titled “Port of Fernandina: Restoring, Revolutionizing, and Modernizing Port Infrastructure.”

The grant's proposed project includes structural rehabilitation of both the topside and underside of the dock, which has suffered from progressive deterioration and flooding. Civil site improvements are also a major component, aimed at addressing drainage failures that have caused operational shutdowns during heavy rainfall and tidal surges.

If awarded, the grant would cover:

• Dock structural repairs: Including crane rail replacements, mooring hardware upgrades, fender system restoration, and beam reinforcement.

• Flood mitigation: With new drainage systems, underground stormwater detention, tide-flex valves, and pump stations.

• Rail and pavement rehabilitation: To restore reliable ground transport and cargo movement within the port.

The repairs are designed to extend the life of the port’s existing infrastructure, improve safety for workers and vessels, and reduce costly maintenance and downtime.

OHPA is requesting 100% federal funding for the project, citing limited local revenue sources and the port’s designation as a “small project at a small port” under federal guidelines. No local or non-federal funding is included in the application.

Commissioner Scott Moore raised the issue of the port operator's involvement in contributing funds if the grant specifies a match would be required in order to move forward.

Moore called it the "elephant in the room" since Relay Terminals has not committed to investing in port improvements under the proposed federal grant if needed.

The Port of Fernandina serves Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, supporting industries that rely on maritime and rail access. According to the grant application, the port's rehabilitation would reduce disruptions, increase cargo throughput, and strengthen the reliability of regional supply chains for forest products, metal goods, and containerized cargo.

Several elected officials and regional organizations have submitted letters of support, including State Senator Clay Yarborough, State Representative Dean Black, and the Nassau County Economic Development Board, all emphasizing the port’s economic importance and vulnerability to flooding and structural decline.

If successful, the project is expected to begin construction within three months of the award, with a total duration of 36 months. Repairs would be phased to avoid interrupting ongoing port operations. Port commissioners were told it could take as long as six months before the grant is awarded.

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