Governer Rick Scott announced that the Port of Tampa will undergo a $45 million upgrade with the help of the Florida Department of Transportation.
This announcement came earlier today during Scott's appearance at a Fairgrounds luncheon where explained that the renovation would come in the form of two new berths that will be constructed to handle petroleum at the port.
Construction is expected to finish in 2014. When completed, the upgrade will allow the Port of Tampa to handle an additional 5 million tons of petroleum products, a vast increase compared to the 7 million it can currently hold. This upgrade will likely provide a plethora of jobs in Tampa once it gets under way.
Scott has directed the Florida Department of Transportation to provide half of the $45 million bill for the Port of Tampa upgrade.
The Port of Tampa is the largest port in Florida and 16th largest in the nation. It's a massive hub for cargo, bulk, and cargo ships as well as an increasingly popular departure port for many cruises to the Western Caribbean. The Port also plays home to the American Victory Ship Mariner's Memorial Museum and neighbors great Tampa attractions including the Florida Aquarium and Channelside Bay Plaza.
