The project to widen and deepen the Houston Ship Channel is complete:
Earlier this year, the port had said the $638 million project — which was first proposed in 1969 — was just about finished.
Vessels from around the world already are using the improved Ship Channel, and the longtime project means increased trade, plus a safer channel, port chief Tom Kornegay told the Greater Houston Partnership in his “state of the port” address.
“For example, some ships bringing petroleum to the port prior to completion of this project were limited to one-way traffic due to size constraints,” Kornegay said. “A wider channel better allows for two-way traffic to flow safely, which increases shipping capacity and makes us more competitive.”
The massive project to deepen the Ship Channel from 40 feet to 45 feet and widen it from 400 feet to 530 feet was overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The port is planning a celebration marking the completion for Aug. 18.
How do you celebrate a ship channel completion?
