Elliott Key Maintenance Dock Construction Beginning in Biscayne National Park

Date: February 25, 2015
Contact: Matt Johnson, 786-335-3679
Contact: Robert Beech, 786-335-3638

Biscayne National Park contractors will begin work on February 25, 2015, to demolish and rebuild a maintenance dock at Elliott Key. Contractors are expected to finish the $1.5 million project in six months. The marina and campground at Elliott Key are not included in the construction work and will remain open while the work is completed.

The new maintenance dock will be built primarily of pre-fabricated concrete slabs. It will include lighting, an adjoining sidewalk and a ramp to allow boats to unload directly onto the end of the dock. A crane and two barges are likely to be stationed at Elliott Key while the project is completed. The construction work is being done by local contracting firms Team Henry Enterprises and Kearns Construction Company. Money for the project is provided by the federal government

"The new maintenance dock is being built on the same footprint of the old dock," said Robert Beech, Chief of Maintenance. "This will provide cost savings for the park, allow for the easier rebuilding of the dock and limit impacts to park visitors and the environment."

Demolition of the old dock, which is structurally unsound, is scheduled to begin on February 25, 2015. Fencing will be placed around the area where construction is in process including a small portion of land adjacent to the dock. The work will not interfere with those visiting the Elliott Key marina and campground.

Investments in national parks pay dividends in gateway communities across the nation. For every dollar appropriated to the National Park Service, $10 is returned to the American economy in the form of visitor spending, travel and tourism and construction jobs.

For more information about Biscayne National Park, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/bisc, or follow the park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/biscaynenps, or Twitter at www.twitter.com/biscaynenps.

-NPS-

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