Latest news with #JEA
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
JEA: Mandarin water main project nearing completion after costly, early failure
A massive water main replacement project in the Mandarin area is finally nearing completion after months of traffic headaches and construction delays. Action News Jax's Ben Becker has learned that the underground JEA water main at the center of the project failed decades sooner than expected, triggering emergency repairs. JEA tells Becker the water main, located along San Jose Boulevard between Old River Road and Claire Lane, was originally installed in 2001 with a material designed to last 80 to 100 years. Instead, the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe failed after just 25 years, forcing JEA into an urgent and costly replacement project now totaling approximately $3.3 million. HDPE, the material used in the original installation, was expected to be a long-lasting solution. But during repairs last summer, crews found the pipe had been installed deeper than the original design specified. That led JEA to proactively replace the entire section, citing potential future impacts. While JEA did not log the pipe's manufacturer from the 2001 installation, the utility has since revised its design standards, including how directionally drilled pipes are installed and inspected. The new water main being installed is made from ductile iron, a more traditional and durable choice for pressurized systems. This is not an isolated issue. The HDPE pipe installed via horizontal directional drill (HDD) was and continues to be used around the city and is approximately 1.3% of the water and sewer infrastructure, according to a utility spokesperson. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Horizontal directional drilling typically has a lower restoration cost vs. traditional excavation and can be used as an installation method if existing utilities or conflicts are not in the path. The unexpected failure has prompted the utility to strengthen design oversight and field inspections moving forward. JEA insists that customers should not expect widespread issues or similar replacement projects elsewhere. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The utility emphasized that it conducts ongoing evaluations of system conditions and has no immediate plans for additional emergency work on other directionally drilled HDPE pipes. However, Becker asked the utility where the other HDPE pipes are located and how much it would cost to replace them, and is waiting for a response. As construction nears completion, local drivers may finally get a break from the months-long lane closures and congestion that have plagued the busy stretch of San Jose Boulevard. Barring further delays, JEA anticipates full project completion and road restoration by June 17 - about a month later than originally scheduled. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Landscape supervisor turned hero: Man helps over 2 dozen people, pets escape apartment fire
They say not all heroes wear capes, and that is exactly the case with Cornelius Rainey. The people he helped save from a burning apartment complex in Hyde Park on Wednesday night agree. The Landscape supervisor was visiting his family at Riverbank Apartments on Wednesday, June 4, when he quickly realized something was wrong. 'I looked to the left and see fire, flames shooting out the building,' said Rainey. 'That's when I went and helped everyone out of their apartment.' >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Around 4:45 pm Wednesday, JFRD responded to a fire at Riverbank apartments in Hyde Park. JFRD said the fire originated in a bedroom inside one of the apartments. The fire quickly spread to the attic, and as a result of that, JFRD told me they told JEA to cut the power off for the entire building. The state fire marshal is currently investigating the cause of the fire. Without hesitating, Rainey said he ran inside the burning building and began banging on residents' doors, telling them it was time to go. 'I was trying to kick people's doors in, burglary style, but it wasn't flying open,' said Rainey. 'And the doors that I didn't get opened, kicked in, it was people actually in those apartments, too.' [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Rainey tells me he helped get 15 people and 3 dogs out of the burning building, including an elderly woman in a wheelchair. 'I was knocking on their door. It wouldn't open; I opened the door. She was sitting in the living room. Her husband was trying to get her out. And I just grabbed him. I said 'Move, man. I got her, I got her,' said Rainey. 'I grabbed her and rolled her out. And that's how she got out there.' I asked Rainey why he decided to run into that building. He said it was instinct. 'I just care about people. I was just helping everybody. I couldn't leave them in there. The building was shooting fire, like real big flames,' said Rainey. Rainey told me everyone he helped was extremely grateful to him, and he was just happy that everyone was safe. The Red Cross said it assisted a total of 34 individuals displaced by this fire. In addition, there are also other people displaced. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'I had never been in a place with a fire before,' said Riverbank apartment resident Ekira Jackson. Jackson was on her way back home from work on Wednesday when she got a call telling her apartment building was on fire and she needed to evacuate. 'When I walked up, I just see this black apartment complex,' said Jackson. 'I just moved in literally I haven't been here for not even a month yet. And everything I work hard for is ruined.' I spoke with Riverbank Apartment's Property Manager about what they are doing to help residents during this time. They told me everyone who was impacted by the fire can access their units, but they need to obtain an access pass through the city, which they have available if residents contact them. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Need to be prepared for a devastating storm,' JEA, city of Jacksonville hold 3-day hurricane drill
For the next 72 hours, JEA, the city of Jacksonville, and statewide first responders are acting as if their fears have become real: a direct hit from a major storm. This year, JEA said it's revving up the storm response and emergency management training it has been doing with the city for the last 14 years. The utility said it's training to respond to an even more intense storm, as the First Alert Weather Team has already predicted a busy hurricane season. 'The National Weather Service of Jacksonville has produced a really good storm scenario for us,' Adam Pendley, JEA's manager of emergency preparedness, said. 'It involves a category two or potentially higher storm, which Jacksonville has not experienced a sense of since before the turn of the century.' [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Action News Jax went inside JEA's emergency operations center for the first of the three day hurricane response training. Inside, JEA teams briefed on the possibility areas of Duval County could see a week or longer without power or water that would take potentially multiple days of restoration efforts to remedy. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] There have been no hurricanes yet this year, but part of the training for JEA is acting like there's one already on the way. 'These three days are kind of like our spring training,' Vickie Cavey, JEA's CEO, said. 'Everyone is in there acting as if they are in the storm, it's a go live kind of event.' The First Alert Weather Team said NOAA is predicting anywhere from six to ten hurricanes this year, but it only takes one to be a memorable season. Hurricane season goes through November 30, you can find ways to prepare from our First Alert meteorologists by clicking here. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Ready to restore': JEA prepares transformers, cables, and more for incoming 2025 hurricane season
The official start of hurricane season is fast approaching, and JEA officials say they're ready. The utility gave Action News Jax a behind-the-scenes look Thursday at the materials stockpiled to quickly get power restored if a storm hits. 'JEA prepares for hurricane season throughout the year,' Karen McAllister with JEA told Action News Jax. 'That includes strengthening our infrastructure, training our teams, and ensuring we have all the equipment and supplies that we'll need throughout hurricane season.' >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Transformers and poles are two of JEA's most important pieces of hardware when it comes to disaster recovery and response, with over 120,000 feet of cable at the ready as well to replace downed powerlines. 'We have more than 800 transformers out here at the Commonwealth service center, more than 400 poles at our warehouse,' McAllister added. 'We want to be sure that JEA is ready to restore service in the aftermath of a storm for our customers.' While JEA's storm stock is at 100% just ahead of the start of the 2025 hurricane season on June 1st, it's now asking that residents do their part to stay prepared ahead of the storm. Some ways residents can stay prepared include knowing their evacuation routes and flood zones, as well as creating their own storm stockpile in case of outages and the worst-case scenario. 'Make sure your hurricane supply kit is ready,' McAllister reminded. 'Update your contact information on JEA's website and make sure to download our app MyJEA. You can report and track outages through the app and keep in touch with us throughout a storm.' [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Minister reiterates Jordan's commitment to Syria's reconstruction
AMMAN — Public Works and Housing Minister Maher Abul Samen on Wednesday reiterated Jordan's support for Syria's reconstruction efforts. During a meeting with Syrian Engineers Syndicate President Malek Haj Ali, Abul Samen highlighted His Majesty King Abdullah's directives to provide all possible assistance in supporting Syria's recovery, according to a ministry statement. The minister noted that Jordanian sectors, particularly engineering and consultancy, are ready to extend support and establish strategic partnerships with Syrian counterparts to contribute to the reconstruction of infrastructure and development projects. He stressed the extensive expertise and competence of Jordan's engineering and contracting sectors, calling for the utilisation of these capabilities in upcoming Syrian reconstruction initiatives. For his part, Haj Ali expressed appreciation for Jordan's continued support, noting the severe damage inflicted on both public and private infrastructure in Syria. He also highlighted Syria's interest in drawing on Jordanian experience during the reconstruction phase. Also on Wednesday, the Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Syrian counterpart, aimed at enhancing cooperation in engineering, vocational and scientific fields. The MoU was signed by JEA President Abdullah Ghusheh and his Syrian counterpart in the presence of representatives from both associations. As part of the partnership, JEA is preparing a comprehensive study to identify potential opportunities for engagement in Syria. The study covers areas such as urban planning, sustainable urban development and housing strategies, with a focus on meeting the needs of returning residents and ensuring efficient use of resources and space. It also addresses the rehabilitation of key infrastructure sectors, including energy, water and sanitation, electricity, transportation and roads, all considered essential for economic recovery and the restoration of daily life in affected areas, according to the statement. The study also includes the rehabilitation of historic and heritage buildings to preserve the architectural and cultural identity of Syrian communities, while ensuring their structural safety and integration into modern urban planning frameworks. Another key focus of the roadmap is enhancing governance and risk management by strengthening engineering institutions and community-based organisations, thereby enabling more flexible and effective oversight of reconstruction projects and improving preparedness for future crises and emergencies. To oversee the implementation of the memorandum and ensure coordinated efforts, a joint committee will be established, according to the statement. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
