Ike Dike Design Contracts Awarded for Texas Coast

**Texas Coast Takes Monumental Step Towards Storm Protection with Multi-Billion Dollar “Ike Dike” Design Contracts**

GALVESTON, TX – After years of planning and advocacy, the massive undertaking to fortify the Texas coast against devastating hurricane surges has taken a significant leap forward. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District recently awarded two pivotal design contracts for the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project, often known colloquially as the “Ike Dike.” These contracts, finalized in late 2024, mark the formal initiation of the detailed engineering phase for a project estimated at a staggering $34 billion.

The ambitious initiative aims to create an integrated coastal barrier system across Galveston Bay and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, significantly reducing the risk of catastrophic damage from hurricanes while also undertaking vital ecosystem restoration.

HDR Engineering, Inc. has been selected as the lead designer for the Galveston Bay Storm Surge Barrier System. This crucial component will focus on an extensive network of levees, floodwalls, and gates strategically placed within various bayous and rivers surrounding Galveston Bay. Beyond physical barriers, HDR will also guide significant environmental restoration efforts throughout the bay, aiming to bolster natural defenses and improve ecological health.

“This is a monumental step in delivering the Coastal Texas Project, a truly generational investment in the resilience and prosperity of our region,” stated Colonel Rhett Blackmon, Commander of the USACE Galveston District, in a recent announcement regarding the awards. “The collaboration between federal, state, and local partners, alongside the expertise of these design firms, is critical as we move from conceptualization to detailed engineering.”

Meanwhile, an AECOM/Tetra Tech Joint Venture secured the contract to be the lead designer for the Bolivar Roads Gate System. This is arguably the most visually impressive and technically challenging aspect of the project. It involves the design of a huge, movable navigation gate system that will span the critical stretch between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. This monumental structure will serve as the primary defensive barrier, designed to close during an approaching hurricane to block surges from inundating Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel.

The “Ike Dike” concept emerged in the wake of Hurricane Ike’s devastating impact in 2008, which caused widespread destruction, flooding, and economic disruption across the upper Texas coast. Since then, the project has undergone extensive studies, public input, and congressional authorization, recognizing the immense vulnerability of the region. The Texas coast is not only home to millions of residents but also houses vital infrastructure, including the Houston Ship Channel – a global energy hub – and a significant portion of the nation’s petrochemical industry, all highly susceptible to storm surges.

The design phase alone is projected to take roughly five to seven years, underscoring the complexity and scale of the engineering challenges involved. Following this extensive design period, the project will then move into actual construction, a timeline for which is not yet firm but is expected to unfold over several decades.

The project’s hefty $34 billion price tag will be shared between federal and state partners. The federal government is committed to covering 65% of the cost, approximately $22.1 billion, with the state of Texas responsible for the remaining 35%, or $11.9 billion. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has been a key state partner in advancing the project.

“Securing these design contracts signifies Texas’ unwavering commitment to protecting our communities, our economy, and our irreplaceable coastal ecosystems,” said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. “This project is not just about building walls; it’s about securing the future for generations of Texans, ensuring the economic engine of our state remains resilient against the increasing threats of a changing climate.”

The Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project represents one of the largest civil works undertakings in U.S. history. Its successful implementation is seen as essential for the long-term safety, economic stability, and environmental health of the Texas coast. While the road ahead is long and will require sustained funding and public engagement, the awarding of these design contracts marks a definitive and optimistic step forward for coastal resilience.

For more information on the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project, visit the USACE Galveston District website at [https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/CoastalTexas/](https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/CoastalTexas/) and the Texas General Land Office website at [https://www.glo.texas.gov/coastal/coastal-texas/](https://www.glo.texas.gov/coastal/coastal-texas/).