Port Houston is moving forward with Project 12 after approving a cost-share agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to initiate the $20 million navigation feasibility study.
With funding already allocated for studies, port officials have said that Project 12 will be significantly bigger than Project 11 – the $1.2 billion project predecessor that Port Houston completed its portion of dredging work last year.
Projects 11 and 12 are both part of the larger Houston Ship Channel improvement project, a groundbreaking effort to expand the channel to accommodate larger ships and spur economic development. Building off work completed in the previous initiative, Project 12 will continue deepening the ship channel.
The port commissioners approved a nearly $50,000 allocation to kickstart the feasibility study, starting with development of the agreement, project management plan and initiation of scoping. In total, the port’s cost-share commitment to completing the navigation feasibility study will be $10 million – and expense shared with Galveston and Texas City.
While details of the project are still developing, comparisons to Project 11 indicate that Project 12 will be even more ambitious and carry a higher price tag. However, it’s going to be years before the port breaks any ground on the dredging project. The USACE’s navigation feasibility study consists of a feasibility cost share agreement, environmental review, scoping and public engagement. These reports are typically completed within three years, though precedent indicates the process may be prolonged for more complex initiatives.
As the port continues to expand, Project 12 will act as a cornerstone component for future expansion plans. With a wider and deeper channel, Port Houston will be able to provide support for additional infrastructure and equipment, including more terminals and cranes to keep the port competitive on a domestic and global scale.
Photo by David Dibert from Pexels
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