CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Galveston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced the start of repairs to the entrance jetty of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel located at Aransas Pass. Actual work on the project is scheduled to begin in mid-June.
The nearly $39 million contract was awarded to Luhr Brothers, Inc., on Sept. 26, 2019. Since then, the company and the Corps have been hammering out the extensive safety plan necessary for such potentially hazardous construction. Work on the jetties will include adding approximately 95,000 tons of armor stone and 112,000 tons of blanket stone on sections of the north and south jetties and replacing a section of the concrete cap on the south jetty. Repairs to the jetties are being made as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall as a category 4 storm with large waves that pounded the jetties.
“Both Jetties were initially constructed between the years of 1868 – 1899 by the Corps,” said Belynda Kinman, operations project manager with the Galveston District. “Maintenance of the jetties is critical to stabilize and reduce shoaling of the Aransas Pass and the Corpus Christi Entrance Channel.”
During construction, local residents and visitors to the jetties are advised to remain well clear of the construction areas and to follow all safety instructions posted around the sites. Luhr Brothers does not anticipate having to close the South Jetty for the majority of the construction duration. The Corps intends on providing information regarding construction on the North Jetty as the contractor progresses with construction.
According to Kinman, the current contract requires completion by May 11, 2021.
USACE Galveston was established in 1880 as the first USACE district in Texas. Originally tasked with overseeing river and harbor improvements, the district is currently responsible for maintaining more than 1,000 miles of channel, as well as the Colorado River Locks and Brazos River Floodgates. Galveston District is growing with the region to manage the multi-billion dollar water programs that will enable economic growth, while protecting the people and environment of America’s Energy Coast.
For more information, visit www.swg.usace.army.mil. Find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict.
Release no. 20-038