Port of Harlingen Receives Port Infrastructure Development Grant

Photo courtesy of Port of Harlingen.

The Port of Harlingen Authority was awarded $708,750 from the U.S. Department of Transportation Port Infrastructure Development Program (“PIDP”) Grant, Thursday, Nov. 14. Funding will be used for the port’s resiliency and asset management planning Project.

The project will allow for a sevenfold approach for the port’s ability to proactively respond to future events by addressing maintenance and repair challenges, developing strategies to enhance resilience against climate and weather extremes, as well as exploring opportunities and contingencies for global supply chain issues.

The project elements include, infrastructure assessment, creation of a GIS database, market and trade lane analysis, updates to the port’s current Master Plan, development of a capital improvement plan, environmental analysis and community involvement, and grant management and administration.

“This project opens up the door to more than just maximizing infrastructure and risk management,” said Alan Johnson, Port Commission Chair. “It allows us to make more sustainable and cost-efficient decisions that in turn allow for funding to be utilized toward optimizing growth planning and development. Not only making our systems and facilities better, but also to accommodate for economic growth and commodity diversification as our region continues to expand, as well.”

The Port Infrastructure Development Program is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Maritime Administration. Funds for the PIDP are awarded on a competitive basis to projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port. The grant will fund 75 percent of the project with a 25 percent project match, or additional costs incurred, to be paid by the port. The total cost of the project is $945,500. This is the port’s second PIDP grant. In 2022, the port was awarded $3.9 million for dock rehabilitation.

U.S. Representative Vicente Gonazlez, D-34, who supported the Port of Harlingen’s application, said funding would bring a major leg-up in economic growth, not only for the port, but the region, as well.

“We are proud to support the Port of Harlingen in securing this PIDP grant,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “This grant will support the port’s efforts to expand—strengthening South Texas’s local economy and the port’s capacity to support vital commerce for years to come.”

The PIDP grant is one of a number of federal programs officials set in place to rehabilitate supply chain infrastructure and the national freight networks marine highways in recent years with aim at investing in infrastructure to relieve strain on other modes of transportation. On average, nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, stated in a 2019 study, estimates delays cost up to $739 per hour for an average tow, or $44 million per year. Additional appropriations by congress estimates that for every $1 invested in infrastructure along the inland waterway system between $2 and $3 are generated in economic activity, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Since 2017, the Port of Harlingen has experienced a 235% in tonnage from just over 990,000 tons, holding steady at 3.2 million annually. Over the last five years, the Port has experienced an increase in tonnage each year, As well as increasing overall barge traffic by 671% increase that same time period.  According to a recent economic impact study, the Port of Harlingen supports 9,725, and generates $1.79 billion annually in economic activity for Texas.

“Through planning and asset management we will absolutely see cost-savings in the long run and will also enhance our ability and foresight in grant planning,” Port Director Walker Smith said. “It is a shift away from reacting to failed, or near failed, assets to a more preventative approach for critical infrastructure that not only the port relies on, but our region to move goods.”