USACE awards $404 million design-build contract for Port Arthur, Texas flood protection
(UI) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District has awarded a $403.9 million contract to Kiewit U.S. Contractors Co. to advance flood protection work in Port Arthur as part of the broader Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay (S2G) Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.
The April 9 award, known as Contract PAV04, marks the largest construction contract to date under the S2G initiative. The design-build project includes 9,525 feet of floodwall replacements, 2,300 feet of levee raises, four levee-to-floodwall tie-ins, and fronting protection at three pump stations. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026 and take approximately three and a half years to complete.
The Port Arthur Project aims to upgrade and reinforce the city’s existing hurricane protection system, enhancing its ability to manage storm surge and flood risk. It is a joint effort between USACE and Jefferson County Drainage District No. 7 (DD7), with financial support from the Texas General Land Office and the Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD). The project is funded 65% by the federal government and 35% by state and local partners.
“This award, which represents the largest construction contract to date for the S2G Project, is an important step in the long-term effort to improve flood protection for the Port Arthur area,” said GCPD Executive Director Coalter Baker. “We're pleased to support DD7 and USACE as they move this critical work forward.”
“Jefferson County Drainage District No. 7 appreciates the efforts and support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas General Land Office, and the Gulf Coast Protection District in helping to protect the citizens and economy of Southeast Texas,” said DD7 General Manager Allen Sims. “Contract PAV04 is the third of ten proposed projects that will greatly enhance the storm surge protection for our area. We are excited to see continued progress on this effort.”
Contract PAV04 also serves as the seed project for the Corps' $7 billion Construction Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC), which is designed to streamline the delivery of major civil infrastructure projects along the Texas coastline.
Design development continues on the remaining components of the Port Arthur Project, with full completion expected by 2033. USACE is overseeing design and construction, while DD7 will take over long-term operations and maintenance once construction is complete.
“Through the Jefferson County Drainage District No. 7, the community in Port Arthur has dutifully maintained their coastal storm surge defenses for decades. This investment improves those defenses to provide more resiliency and protection to further safeguard Texans from the growing threat of storm surge and flooding," said USACE Galveston District Commander Col. Rhett Blackmon. "This project is emblematic of our efforts up and down the Texas coast to increase coastal storm and flood risk management for the communities we serve.”
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