Feature Photo: View of the Houston Ship Channel. Image: Port Houston.
Posted: 5-25-2025
by Art Benavidez
Houston (Harris County) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has allocated $33 million toward the continued construction of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, known as Project 11, in its fiscal year 2025 work plan.
In addition, $98 million was designated for operations and maintenance to ensure the waterway remains navigable through regular dredging.
The work also included a significant milestone: USACE approved the federal Assumption of Maintenance (AOM) for Segment 1B of the channel, stretching from Redfish Reef to Bayport Terminal. This follows the 2022 approval of AOM for Segment 1C, which spans from Bayport to Barbours Cut.
Port Houston officials hailed the approvals as the culmination of nearly five years of coordinated efforts. According to a press release, the AOM decisions are expected to yield long-term financial benefits, saving the port an estimated net present value of nearly $380 million over the next 50 years.
With the federal green light in place, Port Houston is set to complete dredging activities in Segment 1C by late Q2 or early Q3 of 2025, finalizing the Port-led portions of Project 11.
In parallel with the expansion, Port Houston continues its efforts to modernize and reduce emissions. The port recently commissioned 20 clean diesel yard tractors at its Barbours Cut and Bayport Terminals, replacing outdated and less efficient equipment. It also works with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Houston Pilots, and Port Security and Emergency Operations (PSEO) to enhance air draft markings on the Interstate 610 bridge to support maritime navigation.
Officials describe the Houston Ship Channel as a “national asset” which plays a pivotal role in U.S. commerce. It is currently the busiest port in the nation by waterborne tonnage. The expansion is expected to support larger vessels and increased cargo traffic, boosting domestic manufacturing and exports.
“A wider and safer channel that maintains two-way traffic is the backbone of the diverse commerce plying the waterway,” the official Houston Ship Channel Expansion portal noted. “It is critical that the necessary infrastructure be in place to accommodate future economic opportunities.”
Port Houston emphasized that the expansion is grounded in its commitment to environmental stewardship and collaborative partnerships to maximize economic and ecological value.
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