Florida has long been called “Gateway to the Americas.” Today, with its interconnected web of highways, railways, airports and seaports — plus the Spaceport at Cape Canaveral — the state is well on its way to becoming gateway to the world ... and beyond.
Orlando International Airport, where, in fall 2007, Lufthansa launched non-stop service between Orlando and Frankfurt, Germany, reported a 9.5% increase in international passengers in 2007. At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the number of international passengers swelled by a whopping 20.4% in 2007.
Florida boasts 12,000 miles of state highways, 19 commercial airports, 14 deepwater seaports and nearly 3,000 miles of rail, and there’s a whole lot more to come.
In the coming year, Florida will spend $8.2 billion on transportation priorities — $7 billion on road-building alone. And Florida will soon be home to the nation’s newest international airport, the first to be built in the U.S. in more than a decade. The Panama City-Bay County International Airport is currently under construction with flights set to begin by May 2010.
 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport handled 22.7 million passengers and 151,289 tons of cargo in 2007. [Photo courtesy of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport] |
Air & Space
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Non-stop scheduled air service is available from Florida to more than 160 domestic and international destinations. Airports Keep Growing
Tampa International Airport — In 2008, TIA reached an agreement with Pemco World Air Services that allows the Dothan, Ala.-based provider of heavy maintenance and modification services for commercial aircraft to begin operations from a 150,000-square-foot, five-bay maintenance hangar on the airport grounds. The company, which began servicing aircraft at TIA in July 2008, plans to create 410 jobs at its new Tampa location.
Jacksonville International Airport — A spacious new concourse, including a 160-foot moving walkway, opened here in 2008 as part of a $170-million airport-wide upgrade. The renovation of a second concourse is expected to be completed by summer 2009.
Gainesville Regional Airport — The $1.65-million rehabilitation of Taxiway B is slated for completion in early 2009, including new asphalt, high-efficiency LED lighting and signage.
Palm Beach International Airport — terraAmerica, one of Portugal’s leading tourism companies, began non-stop charter airline service between Lisbon and Palm Beach in July 2008. The charter program, which includes tie-ins to six local hotels, is terraAmerica’s first entry into the U.S. market.
Okaloosa Regional Airport — Construction began in 2008 on projects at all three airports operated in Okaloosa County, including a $2.6-million runway rehabilitation at Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview. Plans for a $51-million expansion over the next five years include a new shared rental car facility and terminal building improvements.
Pensacola Regional Airport — A planned $104-million makeover will include expansion of the concourse and terminal, parking garage, rental car facilities and air carrier apron.
Rail
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Riding the Rails
A key reason for the continued success of Florida’s ports is their easy connection to roads and railways. Florida offers nearly 3,000 miles of main rail lines, as well as 25 major rail terminals, 14 line-haul railroads and 17 bulk transfer facilities, which permit the transfer of bulk materials between rail and truck.
CSX Corporation — In the planning stages at CSX — the largest railroad east of the Mississippi — is a $40-million rail investment on Jacksonville’s north side that will allow for smoother flow of the increased amount of goods and materials coming into and out of JAXPORT thanks to the arrival of Asian carriers Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Hanjin. The CSX rail enhancement also will reduce traffic on current train routes that bisect neighborhoods.
This project will help Jacksonville and JAXPORT capitalize on the changing dynamics of international trade and makes the area even more competitive, says JAXPORT Executive Director Rick Ferrin. “We are pleased to be part of a community that understands the need for investment in transportation infrastructure.”
Jacksonville-based CSX is a key player in the nation’s rail industry. In 2007, the company reported a record $10 billion in revenue, based largely on its rail transportation network that serves roughly two-thirds of the American population.
Tri-Rail — With 18 stations along a route running between Mangonia Park, just north of West Palm Beach, and Miami International Airport, this commuter rail system operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority continues to attract increasing use. In 2007, Tri-Rail had more than 3.5 million riders, a 10.2% increase over the previous year. And if early ridership figures are any indication, 2008 could shatter that record. In the first six months alone, Tri-Rail had 2 million riders, a 20% increase over the first half of 2007.
 Carnival Glory and Disney Magic are just two of the cruise ships that have helped make Port Canaveral the 2nd busiest cruise port in the world. [Photo courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority] |
Seaports
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Florida’s 14 deepwater ports are poised to take advantage of the $5.25 billion expansion of the Panama Canal, a massive construction project that, when finished, will mean larger cargo-carrying ships can bypass ports along the U.S. West Coast and come to Gulf Coast and Atlantic ports instead.
Port Canaveral — The port has embarked on a record $213-million worth of projects, including the $100-million-plus Seaport Canaveral tank farm, the largest single investment in port history. Also under way is the redevelopment of two marinas, a new restaurant and a master storm water system to preserve land on the port’s south side. Four additional cruise ships will start departing from Port Canaveral in 2009, and in late 2008, the Las Vegas Casino line is expected to begin sailing from the port.
Port of Manatee — In late 2007, Port Manatee began operating its $3.9-million Gottwald mobile harbor container crane. First of its kind in the United States, the mammoth crane weighs 460 tons and is capable of picking up 100 tons, the equivalent weight of more than two jumbo jets.
Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) — Five of the cruise industry’s newest ships will call Port Everglades home during the winter 2008-2009 Caribbean cruise season. Joining this port’s fleet are new ships from Holland America, Princess, Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise lines. In total, the port expects to host 48 cruise ships from 16 separate cruise lines this year, many of which will be sailing for the first time from Port Everglades. An estimated 3.14 million cruise passengers are expected to pass into and out of the port in 2009.
Port of Tampa — One of this port’s major tenants — Titan Metal Service Inc. — opened a 50,000-square-foot steel processing facility in 2008, featuring a 30-ton and a 15-ton crane capable of lifting large steel coils. Also, Australia-based OneSteel Recycling opened a steel scrap processing plant at the port in May 2008. The expansion includes a $25-million shredder that will help the company process 150,000 tons of scrap in the first year.
Port of Miami-Dade — A new 30-year lease agreement has been reached with Seaboard Marine, one of three cargo terminal operators at the port. The agreement calls for the redevelopment of 80 acres and $39 million in capital improvements at the port.
Port of Jacksonville — Construction on the new $220-million container terminal for Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) will be completed in December 2008, opening new trade lanes to Asia and Europe. In addition, contract talks are nearly completed on a new terminal facility for the Korean shipping firm Hanjin, which could open in 2011.
Roads State Highways
Local Roads
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On the Road
Florida continues to make significant investments in its highways and roads, with more than $7 billion going to construct 234 lane miles, reconstruct and repair 2,590 lane miles and replace 19 bridges. Among recent projects:
Branan Field-Chaffee Expressway — Construction on two segments of this important new artery in Duval County is under way with an expected completion date of fall 2009. When completed, the expressway will provide an important link between Duval and Clay counties in Northeast Florida.
Florida Turnpike — The superhighway nicknamed “Florida’s Main Street” is in the midst of a more than $200-million widening effort along its Orange County leg. The project, which includes widening existing bridges as well as 11 miles of roadway, is expected to be finished by 2010. The Turnpike is also widening from six lanes to eight lanes along a 13-mile stretch in Broward County. The $265-million project is slated for completion by 2010.
Sawgrass Expressway — A $140-million project to widen 14 miles of this crucial Broward County roadway wrapped up in summer 2008.
State Road 79 — Construction to widen this heavily traveled north-south thoroughfare in Florida’s Panhandle from two lanes to four is under way, including $36 million for sections of the road in Bay County. In 2009, nearly $24 million will be spent widening the road in Washington County and nearly $40 million to widen a bridge along the route in Holmes County.