Wheeler Street Boat Ramp in St. Marys reopens after rebuild project

Docks were destroyed in Hurricane Irma

ST. MARYS, Ga. – The City of St. Marys on Saturday morning opened the Wheeler Street Boat Ramp facility to the public for the first time in more than two years.

It’s one of two boat ramps in St. Marys. The other is the Meeting Street Boat Ramp, located on the north river, which has been overcrowded ever since Wheeler Street Boat Ramp closed after Hurricane Irma in 2017, according to the City Manager’s Office.

Post Irma, the docks were destroyed, the ramps were undermined from the scour and were hollow underneath. It was a complete tear-out and rebuild project.

Crews have been working ever since. The new Wheeler Street Boat Ramp facility was designed using the latest maritime design standards. Now it’s a stronger design to withstand wind forces. The pilings are higher and it was engineered to make sure it survives the next storm.

There are two ramps at the new facility. Both are designed at two different slopes to accommodate multiple configurations of vehicles and trailers.

The east floating docks are ADA accessible and can be used for loading and unloading equipment, and the west floating docks are designed for six-hour moorings. The docks accommodate a wet and dry kayak launch protected from the current.

Crews are still working on minor cosmetic items and signage, which will be installed this week.

The City Manager’s Office told News4Jax that this project was mostly funded through insurance money.


About the Authors:

Zachery “Zach” Lashway anchors KPRC 2+ Now. He began at KPRC 2 as a reporter in October 2021.