Houston Republic

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded the Port of Houston $19.5 million in federal funding and a “new start” designation for the Houston Ship Channel Expansion Channel Improvement Project.

Also known as Project 11, the work involves the widening and deepening of the channel in order to improve safety and efficiency for shipping, according to a press release from the Port of Houston.

“To go from Congressional authorization to securing a pathway for construction in less than a month is phenomenal news,” Port Houston Chair Ric Campo said. “Project 11 will provide the greater Houston metropolitan area continued job growth and economic development opportunities, while improving air quality by reducing traffic congestion on the channel.”

The channel serves eight public terminals and approximately 200 private facilities that operate along it. 

Adrian Garcia, county commissioner for Harris County Precinct 2, which includes much of the port area, said that she feels the project will be important economically for her constituents.

“This new development is a huge win for the 1.1 million people in Precinct 2 in part because it will bring about more economic development, which invariably leads to more jobs,” Garcia said.

Yet, she also noted the importance of further investment in the surrounding communities.

“That means better roadways, focused flood protection and smart infrastructure,” she said. “For the working families in my precinct to truly receive the full benefit from the channel expansion project, it’s going to take a strong financial commitment.”

The designation that enables the project to move forward has been sought for the past seven years. In addition to the funding for the project itself, the Port of Houston also received an additional $55 million for “annual operations and maintenance funding to ensure safe and efficient vessel traffic on the current channel."