GALVESTON, TX — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) awards a contract in the amount of $104 million to Callan Marine Ltd. for deepening of the Brazos Island Harbor (BIH) Ship Channel in south Texas. USACE and the Port of Brownsville will be deepening the ship channel by 10 feet to a new authorized depth of 52 feet for a 13-mile segment. This section of the project is known as BIH Segment B.

The contractor is required to remove approximately 7 million cubic yards of material using a pipeline dredge to deepen the navigation channel which will be placed into Placement Area (PA) 5B, which was improved by the Port of Brownsville along with PA 7 in preparation of this contract award. Work is scheduled to begin October 2024 with an estimated completion date of June 2026.

Another ongoing construction contract focuses on deepening the remaining section of the Port of Brownsville's ship channel, known as the BIH Segment A project. This complementary effort is being spearheaded by the private partner NextDecade LNG, working in conjunction with the Port of Brownsville. The BIH Segment A project involves deepening the channel entrance to a depth of 54 feet for the initial 4.5-mile stretch, before transitioning to a depth of 52 feet for the subsequent 7.5-mile segment. In addition to the channel excavation, the project scope encompasses placement area improvements, dredging of berthing areas, and the installation of navigation aids.

"The port's critical cost-sharing participation has allowed the Corps to undertake this transformative infrastructure improvement, which will have lasting positive impacts on the south Texas economy," said Colonel Rhett Blackmon, SWG’s District Commander. "By deepening the ship channel, we are not only fulfilling our mission to maintain America's vital waterways, but also generating immense economic benefits through increased trade, shipping efficiencies, and supporting the region’s industries."