Port of Galveston awarded $8.2M in mobility and transportation grants

The Galveston Wharves has received $8.178 million in state and federal funding to improve mobility and pedestrian and traffic safety in and around the port.

“Continuing to improve mobility is a top priority for the Galveston Wharves,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO. “We’re using funding from these six grants to plan and implement improvements to make it safer and easier for people to move around the port and to access the waterfront.”

A $340,000 federal grant funded a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to identify and address roadway safety concerns on and adjacent to port property. Recommendations include improvements to roadways, intersections, traffic signals and pedestrian crossings.

The port will use a $2.83 million Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) grant to fund the first round of projects. Work will include accessibility ramps, lighting, traffic controls, pavement markings, and signs, where needed, at eight intersections on Harborside Drive between 14th and 25th streets.

Rees said, “We’re excited to be able to take steps to more safely connect the waterfront with downtown Galveston for the enjoyment of island residents, visitors and cruise guests.”

The port will look for future opportunities to fund other plan recommendations on a priority basis.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has also awarded a $408,000 grant to build upon the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. Consultants will evaluate the benefits of additional intersection improvements, traffic calming features, wayfinding, bike lanes, and sidewalks to improve safety for pedestrians and vehicles in and around the port.

TxDOT also awarded a $1.6 million grant to design and install signage like that at Cruise Terminal 10 at the port’s three other cruise terminals to enhance traffic flow.