Coastal Texas Project Awards Design Contracts

**”Ike Dike” Mega-Project Marks Critical Advance with Nearly $90 Million in Design Contracts**

GALVESTON, TX – The ambitious Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project, widely known as the “Ike Dike,” has taken a significant leap forward with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) awarding two major design contracts totaling nearly $90 million. This marks a crucial progression for the $34 billion endeavor aimed at fortifying the upper Texas coast against devastating hurricane storm surge.

The first contract, valued at $39.5 million, has been secured by HDR Engineering Inc. in a joint venture with WSP USA Inc. This team is now tasked with developing the intricate designs for the Galveston Ring Barrier System. Key components of their work will include the detailed engineering for the Galveston Seawall gate – a critical entry point designed to close during a storm surge event – and significant improvements to the existing Galveston North levee system, enhancing protection for the island’s bay side.

A larger contract, worth $49.4 million, was awarded to CDM Constructors Inc. in partnership with Mott MacDonald LLC. Their focus will be on the formidable Clear Lake/Galveston Bay Gate System. This involves designing a massive navigation gate complex intended to span the critical waterway between Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula. This colossal gate system is central to managing water flow into and out of Galveston Bay, providing a crucial barrier against surging waters. Additionally, their work will encompass various planned protective improvements for Bolivar Peninsula, an area historically vulnerable to hurricane impacts.

“This is a monumental step forward for the Coastal Texas Project, a truly transformative undertaking that will safeguard lives, protect critical infrastructure, and preserve our invaluable natural resources,” stated Col. Rhett Blackmon, Commander of the USACE Galveston District. “These design contracts underscore our unwavering commitment to partnering with the state of Texas to build a more resilient future for the Gulf Coast.”

Often dubbed the “Ike Dike” in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Ike in 2008, the project’s overarching goal is to dramatically reduce the risk posed by hurricane storm surge to the densely populated and economically vital upper Texas coast. It seeks to protect millions of residents, billions of dollars in property, and the region’s unique environmental assets, including vital wetlands and estuaries.

The project’s major components are extensive and include the colossal 20-foot-high navigation gate system at the mouth of Galveston Bay, a robust levee system along Galveston Island’s bay side, and enhancements to dunes and beaches along the coast. Crucially, the plan also incorporates extensive environmental restoration efforts, recognizing the interconnectedness of coastal protection and ecological health.

“The Texas General Land Office is proud to partner with the Army Corps of Engineers on this generational project,” said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. “Investing in the Coastal Spine is investing in the long-term prosperity and safety of our state. These design contracts bring us closer to realizing a vision of a protected coast that can withstand future storms while preserving our environment and vibrant coastal economy.”

The journey to this point has been long. A comprehensive feasibility study for the project commenced way back in 2010 and concluded in 2021. Federal funding approval was secured in 2022, setting the stage for the current design phase. The project’s immense $34 billion price tag is a shared responsibility, with the federal government covering 65% of the costs, and state and local entities responsible for the remaining 35%.

While these design contracts signify concrete progress, actual construction is still several years away. Officials anticipate that construction will not begin until *at least 2026*. The current design phase is projected to wrap up by 2028, with construction then anticipated to stretch out for another 10 to 15 years. This means the entire Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project likely won’t see completion until sometime between 2038 and 2043.

Local leaders expressed a mix of relief and anticipation. “For too long, our communities have lived under the constant threat of hurricane devastation,” noted State Representative Mayes Middleton, whose district includes Galveston. “Seeing tangible progress like these design contracts gives us hope that future generations will be better protected, allowing our businesses to thrive and our families to live with greater peace of mind.”

Environmental groups, while supporting storm protection, emphasize the need for vigilant oversight of ecological components. “The inclusion of environmental restoration is critical,” said a spokesperson for the Galveston Bay Foundation. “As designs progress, we must ensure that nature-based solutions are prioritized and that the long-term health of Galveston Bay’s delicate ecosystem remains paramount.”

Despite the extended timeline, the awarding of these contracts marks a pivotal and irreversible step forward for a project deemed essential for the resilience and long-term viability of the Texas Gulf Coast.

For more information on the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project, visit the USACE Galveston District website at www.swg.usace.army.mil or the Texas General Land Office at www.glo.texas.gov.