CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Port of Corpus Christi sits in between the present Harbor Bridge and the brand new bridge bodily. It’s additionally type of a metaphor that they’re at the moment caught within the center.
With the information of the brand new Harbor Bridge being delayed as we await a call on the contractor, how has the mission affected the Port?
“We all know it’s going to have an antagonistic have an effect on on among the large plans that we’ve got on the Port of Corpus Christi,” mentioned Charles Zahn, chairman of the Port Fee.
Zahn and Port Chief Government Officer Sean Strawbridge each mentioned building from the mission has barely impacted their enterprise.
For instance, Strawbridge mentioned they’ve needed to redirect ships within the Joe Fulton Hall.
“Actually, there’s been disruptions in our enterprise,” mentioned Strawbridge. “There’s additionally new enterprise that we are able to’t entice till that bridge is accomplished. And, though we’re having an excellent yr, but once more, there are some further alternatives that we’d wish to pursue when that new bridge is accomplished.”
“We’ve got 100,000 folks that work instantly, not directly with the Port of Corpus Christi. So, we’ve got good jobs within the Coastal Bend. And, these good jobs rely upon us persevering with to draw enterprise,” mentioned Zahn at a press convention of metropolis, county and state leaders on Wednesday.
Texas Sen. John Cornyn visited the Port on Wednesday. Aware of the state of affairs, he agrees with the Texas Division of Transportation that security needs to be a precedence.
“I might say security is job primary. That’s a non-negotiable crimson line. And, I do know that’s been the main target of all the parents right here in Corpus Christi to ensure security comes first,” he mentioned.
Zahn and Strawbridge shared comparable sentiments.
Strawbridge added it’s onerous to disregard the influence building has had on surrounding communities, with how lengthy the mission is taking.
“This has taken method too lengthy,” mentioned Strawbridge. “And, it’s actually a tax on this local people while you have a look at all of the disruptions in visitors patterns.”
TxDOT has given their contractor Flatiron/Dragados LLC 15 days from Aug. 16, to supply a plan on tips on how to handle the protection considerations given to them.
If Flatiron/Dragados fails to take action, they are going to be changed. An expedited course of to discover a new developer would start.
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