February 20, 2012

Work is now underway on extension of the La Quinta Ship Channel which serves industrial customers in San Patricio County.

The project is creating the first addition to the Corpus Christi Ship Channel system since 1960 when the Corpus Christi Inner Harbor was completed to the Viola Turning Basin.

The new section of the La Quinta branch channel will be 1.4 miles long and will have an operating depth of 41 feet. There will be a new Portland turning basin adjacent to the Port Authority's La Quinta multi-purpose terminal site.

Work is being done under Army Corps of Engineers contracts of $33.5 million for the channel dredging and $7.5 million for related ecosystem restoration projects. All project elements are scheduled for completion in mid-2013. 

The San Patricio Municipal Water District will provide industrial and potable water to new operations as they are added to the La Quinta development site and surrounding industrial properties.

La Quinta Channel was first completed in 1952 to serve two Reynolds Metals plants. Originally 35 feet deep, it was dredged to 45 feet in the 1970s. DuPont, OxyChem, Air Liquide, Kiewit Offshore Services and Helix Energy have all made investments to take advantage of the deepwater channel and are major employers for the region.

More information about efforts to develop the La Quinta Multipurpose Facility is available in an earlier post HERE.