Working to Expand the Port of Corpus Christi

Being a coastal district, waterways are critical to the economy of the district I represent. Last week I met with members of the US Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District to discuss critical issues facing the entire Texas coast and inland areas, including funding for the widening and deepening of the Port of Corpus Christi. I spoke with Colonel Rich Pannell; Chief of Project Management Branch, Robert C. Thomas; Chief of Operations Division, Joe Hrametz, and Deputy District Engineer, Dr. Edmond J. Russo to discuss the projects and the red tape slowing them down. In my opinion, the Corps needs more engineers and fewer lawyers and bureaucrats.

The good news out of the meeting is that I'm encouraged by the fact that Colonel Pannell seemed confident that the cost-benefit analysis ratio for the Port of Corpus Christi improvements, as well as continuing growth at the Port, make it a prime candidate for funding in the next budget cycle. I also expressed how important I felt it was to promptly deal with:

  • Operation and maintenance for the Matagorda Ship Channel, including jetty repair;
  • Barge congestion within the region;
  • Additional permits for repairs for the Port of Victoria; and
  • Various constituent concerns regarding permitting and operations.

While I was meeting with the Corps, my Chief of Staff Bob Haueter accompanied members from the Port of Corpus Christi to Dallas to meet with executives of BNSF railway. Chairman of the Port Commission, Charlie Zahm, Commissioner John Valls, Port Director John LaRue along with various other staff discussed adding much-needed additional rail service to the north side of the Port to accommodate future growth along with various other issues. The talks were quite successful.

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