BND staff say reconstruction of Cargo Dock 3 will be completed in three phases, First, demolition of the dock. Second, acquisition of steel piles to provide structural support for the new dock. Third, the construction phase.

 

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – As first reported in the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, the Port of Brownsville and Port Mansfield are two beneficiaries of a decision by the state Legislature to provide more funding for Texas maritime ports.

The issue was discussed in depth at a recent Texas Transportation Commission meeting covered by Ron Whitlock Reports for the Guardian. At the meeting, TTC commissioners approved an historic $200 million in funding for Texas seaports.

Well, now, Brownsville Navigation District (BND) has revealed how the Port of Brownsville will benefit.

“The Port of Brownsville’s Cargo Dock 3 reconstruction project has secured an $11.5 million grant under the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) new Maritime Infrastructure Program,” according to Port Matters, the monthly publication of BND.

“On Sept. 28, the Texas Transportation Commission approved a historic $240 million in funding for Texas ports to help increase trade, improve safety, and provide a more robust supply chain for the state and the nation. The Port of Brownsville’s Cargo Dock 3 project is one of 31 projects selected to receive funding.”

Eduardo A. Campirano, BND’s port director and CEO, thanked state leaders for their support of Texas seaports.

“We applaud our state leaders for their support and commitment to strengthen the Port of Brownsville as a leading maritime port,” Campirano said. “It is essential to provide the highest quality infrastructure for our customers and tenants to maintain our status as a strategic asset for the region and the Lone Star State.”

Campirano said the TxDOT grant will assist in funding the comprehensive overhaul of Cargo Dock 3, enhancing its capacity, efficiency, and safety standards. 

“Located on Windhaus Road on the west side of the turning basin, Cargo Dock 3 began operations in the 1940s and was key for the shipment of agricultural commodities. It is now utilized for general bulk cargo movements,” Port Matters states.

“The reconstruction project consists of three stages, namely, the demolition of the dock, the acquisition of steel piles to provide structural support for the new dock, and the construction phase. This project aligns with the port’s vision of providing world-class facilities to meet the evolving demands of global commerce.”

Port Matters says the Port of Brownsville is a “pivotal hub” for regional and international trade.

“The Port of Brownsville plays a vital role in economic development and job creation. Today, the port ranks 55th out of the top 150 maritime ports in the nation for waterborne cargo with 8.9 million tons transported in 2021, up 30% from 6.7 million in 2020.”

About the Port of Brownsville

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The Port of Brownsville is the only deep-water seaport directly on the U.S.-Mexico border and encompasses 40,000 acres – the largest land-owning public port authority in the country. The port transships more steel into Mexico than any other U.S. port. As the major multimodal transportation hub serving the Rio Grande Valley and northern Mexico, the Port of Brownsville supports investment opportunities and jobs. Activity at the port is responsible for adding more than $2 billion to the regional economy, $3 billion to the Texas economy, and the creation of more than 51,000 jobs statewide.