PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A multi-million Port Arthur project that aims to reduce the risk of damage created by storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms to coastal hazard zones in Jefferson County could be completed in less than four years.
The project is a component of the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Program, which is set to reduce the risk of storm surge impacts in Orange, Jefferson, and Brazoria counties.
The program is comprised of three projects, according to a Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Coastal release.
One project involves the construction of a new CSRM levee system in southern Orange County, and two involve making improvements to existing Hurricane Flood Protection projects (HFPP) at Port Arthur and Freeport.
In 2018, congress allocated money to improve the levee system in Port Arthur. The project was approved by the state, and money was given to the US Army Corps of Engineers to cover the construction.
The $863 million project is being worked on by the US Army Corps of Engineers and Jefferson County Drainage District 7.
The Army Corps of Engineers gave Port Arthur leaders an update on the project Thursday. They believe the project is on track to be completed by 2026.
The Port Arthur Project has been underway since 2017. Currently, construction crews are working on raising the height of the levees. They are also working to replace the current concrete flood walls with higher flood walls.
The objective is to reduce the risk from coastal storm surges and flood damage for residents and businesses within coastal hazard zones in Jefferson County.
“For me, seeing the excitement is seeing the looks on the residence faces when they have this enhanced flood protection system to protect them,” Garrett Sullivan, Army Corps of Engineers member, said.
The US Army Corp of Engineers is hosting a meeting for those who want to learn more about the progress being made on the project. The meeting will be held virtually Thursday, April 6, 2023 and will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
