The Texas Transportation Commission has approved approved $400 million in Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund (SCIRF) loans for two projects near Beaumont and Brownsville. The funding is the result of a bill passed in the 88th Legislature and signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023. TxDOT is requesting additional funding for port improvements in its 2026-2027 Legislative Appropriations Request.
In August, the Commission approved a loan of up to $357 million for the Sabine-Neches Navigation District (SNND) to begin deepening the Sabine Neches Waterway–the third-largest waterway by tonnage in the nation–from its current 40-foot depth to its authorized depth of 48 feet. This project is estimated to cost $1.8 billion, and the SNND is responsible for $600 million to finance its local share. In September, the Commission approved a loan of up to $43 million for the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) to help fund the cost to deepen the Brazos Island Harbor Channel from 42 feet to its authorized depth of 52 feet. BND is responsible for $71.5 million of the total $139.5 million cost for this portion of the project.