Port of Houston Plans $275 Million Capex for 2015, with Two Major Kickoffs in Second Quarter

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The Port of Houston Authority, which plans to commit $275 million to capital improvement projects this year, will kick off at least two projects in the second quarter.

Working with engineering firm CH2M Hill (Englewood, Colorado), the port authority is performing planning and scheduling for a Phase II extension at the Seabrook Bayport Terminal. The project, which has a total investment value of $50 million, will extend Wharf 2 by 664 feet. Dredging and other operations are also required for the extension. Construction kick-off is currently slated for April, with completion in first-quarter 2016.

Also, the authority is planning and scheduling a bollard installation at wharfs 2 and 3 at the Manchester Terminal. Forde Construction Company (Houston, Texas) is serving as the general contract for the $5 million project. Construction kick-off in May, with completion in the third quarter of this year.

The port authority's capital expenditure (capex) commitment for 2015 includes $184 million for the container terminals for its Bayport facilities and modernization of the Barbours Cut container terminal. Another $35 million is earmarked for improvements at the general cargo and bulk terminals in the Turning Basin Area. The remainder of the capital budget is for railroad improvements, channel development, port security, building renovations and information technology, according to the port authority.

The Port of Houston Authority is gearing up for bigger ships and more traffic as a result of the expansion of the Panama Canal, which is set for completion 2016.

For related information, see January 14, 2015, article - Port of Houston Readies Itself for New Panama Canal Traffic.

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