PORT ARANSAS, Texas — The Port Aransas ferry landing is expecting upgrades as part of TxDOT project that will cost more than $63 million dollars.
The project does not have a start date yet, but the agency anticipates construction to begin in the first quarter of this year.
They said the long-term undertaking will bring many improvements to the ferries that operate year-round in Port Aransas.
Rickey Dailey with TxDOT explained there will also be new above-ground fuel tanks, elevated generators and upgraded electrical systems. They plan to install a mono-pile to replace the clusters currently there. He said that can help them safely secure ferries depending on the situation.
"The project will upgrade and repair the existing structures and landing. It will be a complete rework of the bulkheads, the ramps and the towers."
"It'll give us the opportunity if we need to, to moor the ferries there in our fleet during a hurricane or a severe storm."
The upgrades come as an effort to address marine structures nearing the end of their design life. Dailey said they need to be repaired or replaced because of the harsh marine environment and the facility being operated 24/7. He said the improvements can help them stay in operation even after extreme weather.
"After Harvey, the ferry system was in operation the next day carrying first responders. We were in-service quickly and that's what, that's a record that we want to maintain."
There are five ramps on the Port Aransas and Harbor Island sides. Various upgrades are coming to only the Port Aransas facility for now. Up to two ramps will be closed during construction and Dailey said there could be increased wait times, but it will remain in 24/7 operation.
He explained the purpose of the upgrades.
"To ensure that the TxDOT ferry facility is positioned to provide the public with safe, efficient transportation for the next 50 years."
As for the Harbor Island side of the ferry, that is still in the design stage and expected to go out for bid in late 2026.
A construction schedule is still being worked on, but Dailey estimates work on the Port Aransas facility will last two to three years.