Port Houston joined federal, state and local officials and industry partners on October 8 to celebrate the completion of Port Houston-led segments of Project 11, the eleventh major expansion of the Houston Ship Channel and one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the waterway’s history.
The completed work widened the channel by 170 feet along its Galveston Bay reach, from 530 feet to 700 feet, increasing safety and efficiency along the nation’s busiest waterway.
The expanded channel is already delivering operational benefits. In 2025, the US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers and Houston Pilots recognised the widened 700-foot channel from Bolivar Roads to Morgans Point, effectively removing daylight restrictions for larger vessels transiting Galveston Bay and reducing the need for oversized ships to wait at berth or anchor before sailing.
The project was delivered through an innovative funding partnership in which Port Houston and industry partners agreed to contribute financially, cutting years from the delivery timeline.
Port Houston completed its portion on time, on budget and faster than any comparable project in the United States. The remainder of project funding came from several federal sources.
Project 11 also created lasting environmental benefits through beneficial reuse of all suitable dredged material, producing 10 acres of bird islands, 324 acres of oyster reefs and 800 acres of marsh habitat.
Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins described the completion as especially meaningful, recalling when the project was still a concept and crediting the collaboration between Port Houston, the Army Corps, industry and elected leaders in finding a way to deliver it.
Commission Chairman Ric Campo highlighted the project as transformational and praised the extraordinary partnership that enabled faster, more efficient and financially disciplined delivery.
