Revitalizing the Everglades

A monumental reclamation project is underway in the heart of the iconic Everglades ecosystem. The Central Everglades Planning Project identifies and plans for projects on public land that will allow more water flows to be directed south into the Central Everglades, Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) A-2 Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) is a component of this initiative that, in conjunction with the future A-2 Reservoir and Inflow/Outflow Canal, will deliver additional fresh water south from Lake Okeechobee.

Phillips & Jordan, Inc. (P&J), the prime contractor on the EAA A-2 STA, is a certified woman-owned, heavy civil and power infrastructure contractor established in 1952. They build, maintain and modernize resilient critical infrastructure that matters across the country in five key markets: water, mining, industrial and commercial, power (transmission and distribution, renewables and generation) and disaster response.

Project Overview & Roles

The primary goal of the Central Everglades Planning Project is to restore natural water flows into and through the central and southern Everglades, thereby keeping more fresh water in the water table to help revitalize the region's ecological health. This restoration plan involves constructing a massive 240,000-acre-foot reservoir within the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) and establishing a 6,500-acre-foot stormwater treatment area. These water projects will help capture, store and treat water, ensuring that it flows southward to replenish the central Everglades, Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.

A project of this magnitude requires a diverse array of stakeholders who each play a crucial role in the planning, funding, and execution of the project. These parties include:

• South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
• Governor of Florida
• Secretary of the Interior
• Water Management agencies
• Army Corps of Engineers
• South Florida Water Management District

P&J was selected as the prime contractor through a competitive public procurement bid process. The P&J crushing supervisor leads a team of over 85 employees, while the entire team is comprised of more than 200 individuals, including subcontractors.

Challenges & Solutions

Due to the incredible size and complexity of the project, extensive planning was essential to manage the allocation of resources, equipment, labor, and regular schedule changes. The post-COVID era introduced supply chain disruptions, further complicating the construction process; however, adaptability and meticulous management allowed the team to address these challenges effectively.

While the project site is situated in the Everglades, its geology proved more accommodating than expected. The predominantly limestone terrain, covered with a thin layer of organics, enabled work to continue during wet seasons when progress may have been halted in other regions. This unexpected advantage minimized delays and kept the project on track.

The Equipment

Phillips & Jordan utilized several Astec products, including four closed-circuit FT4250CC mobile HSI plants, three GT3680 mobile stackers, and two GT4280 mobile stackers, to meet their crushing and screening needs. The Astec reputation for durability and robust design attracted the team to their equipment.

The equipment's impressive track record of reliability and uptime has held true compared to competitive machines, which presented reliability issues during the project. The P&J team expected 350-375 TPH of throughput and the Astec equipment delivered. “We knew we would be putting the equipment through its paces with the type and quantity of material being processed,” says the P&J crushing supervisor. “The up time has been very impressive.”

Throughout the project (as of May 2023), Astec equipment has collectively logged about 12,000 hours, totaling an impressive 4.2 million tons of material processed.

Garinger, along with the entire Alta Equipment Company-Florida team, provided critical parts and service, maintaining the project schedule and equipment functionality.

Future Outlook

The Central Everglades Planning Project represents a remarkable collaboration between several stakeholders, exemplifying the commitment to preserving and revitalizing one of the world's most precious ecosystems. With the support of companies like Phillips & Jordan, and reliable equipment from Astec, this restoration project sets the stage for a brighter future.