Port Corpus Christi Commissioners have approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for work performed prior to execution of a project partnership agreement for the Channel Improvement Project.
With the MOU, Port Corpus Christi is able to conduct time-sensitive sampling work at the entrance of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel ahead of a Project Partnership Agreement for the Corpus Christi Ship Channel – Channel Improvement Project while maintaining eligibility for its cost-share requirement.
The remaining elements of the authorized CCSC-CIP 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 any new design work will not be completed by the USACE until additional federal funding for the project is received and a Project Partnership Agreement is executed. The sediment sampling and analysis is expected to take 6-9 months to complete.
The Corpus Christi Ship Channel – Channel Improvement Project is a top priority for Port Corpus Christi. The deeper and wider ship channel will provide better navigational safety and transportation efficiency.
Pending federal appropriations the project is expected begin in 2017.
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