Palm Beach County Business | Spring 2022

LAND, AIR AND SEA

Expansions Boost TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

PALM BEACH COUNTY’S LAND, AIR AND SEA transportation network continues to grow with new projects and services that support the region’s business growth. Here are highlights from the BDB’s Distribution & Logistics Task Force, a group comprised of the leaders shaping the future of the County’s distribution and logistics industries, as well as updated statistics on projects and services.

LAND

PALM BEACH TRANSPORTATION AGENCY

More than $1 billion in highway projects are in the works over the next five years, including widening I-95, Florida’s Turnpike and the Beeline Highway, according to Andrew Uhlir, deputy director of program development, Palm Beach Transportation Agency.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is continuing with major construction in the county over the next few tears, including widening sections of the turnpike from the West Palm Beach Service Plaza north to Beeline Highway. Interchange and widening projects are planned for I-95 from Linton Boulevard north to Okeechobee Boulevard. Meanwhile, the Beeline Highway is being widened from Northlake to Blue Heron Boulevard.

“We are considering high-capacity transit and additional mobility options to meet our growing population and jobs,” said Uhlir. “It is costly to continue to widen roadways, and most are already built out. We are currently studying Okeechobee from State Road 7 to West Palm Beach for ways to address the mobility of people and safety, such as bus rapid transit and light rail.”

I-95 WEST PALM BEACH

I-95 West Palm Beach

SEA

PORT OF PALM BEACH

Port Statistics Fiscal Year 2021

• Cargo Throughput- $14B

• Cargo- 2,559,595 short tons

• TEUs- 260,050 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units

• Rail Cars- 14,130

• Cargo Vessels- 1,244

• Sugar- 671,700 short tons

• Molasses- 88,583 short tons

• Cement- 17,162 short tons

• Liquid Asphalt- 88,583 short tons

• Raw Rum- 1.5 million gallons

• Recyclable Steel- 35,490 short tons

PORT OF PALM BEACH

As the state’s fourth busiest container port, supporting more than 3,500 direct jobs, Port of Palm Beach is developing a strategic master plan. “This will provide staff with development options that optimize cargo throughput, expand our megayacht berth facility, and pave the way for the future of the port,” said Blair Ciklin, chairman, Port of Palm Beach District. A new cement terminal now under construction is expected to boost bulk cargo by at least 250,000 tons, and the container yard occupied by Tropical Shipping is set to be repaired this year.

A major infrastructure project expected to begin this year will move rail cargo faster, reducing container dwell time and transportation and inventory carrying costs for cargo shippers, according to Manuel Almira, port executive director. Most of the existing rail system will be upgraded, nearly doubling the port’s rail traffic capacity from 44,000 TEUs to almost 100,000 TEUs. “The project will also reduce truckers’ processing times through the entrance gate, resulting in more efficiency,” Almira said. It will also improve air quality by reducing truck emissions through greater use of rail transport.

AIR

PALM BEACH COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AIRPORTS

2021 PBI statistics

• Total passengers at PBI up 70.5%

• Seat capacity up 34.7%

• Total operations up 43.7% including general aviation

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) continues to see increases in capacity and passenger levels above 2020 levels. New air carriers have announced service, while existing carriers have added new markets and/or expanded service to existing markets. For instance, Breeze Airways initiated service to six new destinations in February.

“The Department of Airports is moving forward with infrastructure projects related to the terminal, airside and landside facilities at PBI and our general aviation airports in an effort to provide the best experience and facilities for our customers and tenants,” said Gary Sypek, deputy director, Palm Beach County Department of Airports. Future improvements include the expansion of Concourse B, security checkpoints and a secure connector linking Concourse B and Concourse C. A new Aircraft Rescue and Fire-fighting facility as well as a new GA Customs facility are now in the design phase.