U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to make a decision on the project by early 2013.
Agrium Advanced Technologies, Loveland, Colo., has applied to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville, Ky., district, for a permit to build a fertilizer manufacturing plant and barge terminal on the Ohio River in Brandenburg, Ky. If approved, the project would be completed in two phases during a 10-year period.
A spokeswoman for the USACE says a decision on the project is expected by early 2013. The proposed terminal and plant would cover three terraces on 104 acres and encompass 1,970 feet of river frontage as well as 1,960 linear feet of tributaries situated on one end of the property.
Because of the volume of inbound and outbound material flow, Agrium says there are no cost-effective alternatives to barge transport for most of the material being shipped in and out.
The loading and unloading dock would consist of three cells supporting a crane, hopper and loading chute. Up to 18 dolphin structures would be used as barge moorings. Up to seven barges could be moored at any time, according to the USACE.
Material handling equipment proposed includes a clamshell-equipped crane and a main conveyor on the upstream (east) end of the dock. The conveyor system would span from the upper property tier down to the river over a length of about 1,500 linear feet.
Dredging would be performed to maintain a river bottom elevation of 370 feet from an area of around 9.8 acres as needed, according to the USACE.