Houston Ship Channel Expansion Reaches Major Milestone
After over a decade of planning and two years of construction, Port Houston has completed its portion of the $1.2 billion Project 11, a important expansion of the Houston Ship Channel. The project, undertaken in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), focused on dredging and widening a crucial stretch of the waterway – the Galveston Bay reach from Bolivar Roads to Morgan Point – and is now finished.
Initiated with planning in 2010, Project 11 addresses the growing size of modern vessels by expanding the channel’s width from 530 to 700 feet. This proactive measure ensures the channel can continue to accommodate larger ships and maintain its position as a vital hub for international trade.
“We commend the astonishing port Houston team, our bipartisan federal and local delegations, and our industry and federal partners for their collaboration and capacity to see clearly the importance of this vital gateway to our nation and ensure its ability to safely sustain and grow international trade,” stated Port Commission Chairman Ric Campo. “This collaborative achievement is truly a testament to the hard work of all the individuals involved in the project and reminds us of the importance of the Houston Ship Channel to the nation.”
The completed widening is already yielding positive results.Port Houston reports that vessels with daylight restrictions now have an additional two and a half hours each day for transit, increasing the potential for two-way traffic and improving scheduling flexibility for both incoming and outgoing ships.
While Port Houston’s segment is complete, the USACE portion of Project 11 is slated for completion in 2029, promising further enhancements to the channel’s capacity and efficiency. Officials anticipate the overall project will deliver substantial economic benefits to the region.
