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Dredging: Corpus Christi

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Port Corpus Christi/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers MOU on Ship Channel Improvements

Port Corpus Christi Commissioners on September 20 adopted a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District (COE) for work provided or performed prior to execution of a project partnership agreement for the Corpus Christi Ship Channel - Channel Improvement Project (CCSC-CIP).

The MOU allows for in-kind contributions by Port Corpus Christi for sediment testing services associated with dredging the entrance channel of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel ahead of a Project Partnership Agreement.
The MOU allows the port authority to perform time-sensitive sampling work that will be eligible for credit toward the port’s cost-share requirement for the CCSC-CIP. Projected costs include work performed by the ERDC and that contracted by the port authority for the collection of the sediment samples.

"The Port of Corpus Christi is one of the top 10 ports in the nation regarding tonnage and a strategic component in strengthening regional economic development," said Col. Lars Zetterstrom, Galveston District commander. "We are fortunate to have a strong partnership with the port and look forward to continued efforts to support dredging work that will keep waterways navigable for vessels importing and exporting goods along the Texas coast."

The signed Project Partnership Agreement allows construction of the entrance channel approximately 10 months earlier than would have otherwise been possible. The MOU’s 'work in kind' provision will make the port eligible to receive credit for the cost of sediment sampling."

"The Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project is one of the most critical components to Port Corpus Christi’s Strategic Plan ensuring future prosperity for our region," said Port Commission Chairman Charles W. Zahn, Jr. "The deeper, wider ship channel, will create greater shipping efficiencies by allowing larger vessels with fewer trips to call on our port. Additionally, the gains in safety for vessels traversing the Corpus Christi Ship Channel will be tremendous. This MOU with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will enable this critical Port Corpus Christi project to get a jump start ahead of dredging."

The remaining elements of the authorized project consist of deepening and widening the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and construction of barge shelves across Corpus Christi Bay. Sediment sampling has not yet completed and no new design work will be completed until additional federal funding is received and a Project Partnership Agreement is executed.

The sediment sampling and analysis will take an estimated 6-9 months to complete.

 

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