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Fhwa/Tx-14/0-6807-1 Texas Gulf Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. FHWA/TX-14/0-6807-1 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date TEXAS GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY MASTER PLAN: Resubmitted: August 2014 TECHNICAL REPORT Published: March 2016 6. Performing Organization Code 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. C. James Kruse, David Ellis, Annie Protopapas, Nicolas Norboge, and Report 0-6807-1 Brianne Glover 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) Texas A&M Transportation Institute College Station, Texas 77843-3135 11. Contract or Grant No. Project 0-6807 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Texas Department of Transportation Technical Report: Research and Technology Implementation Office September 2013–June 2014 th 125 E. 11 Street 14. Sponsoring Agency Code Austin, Texas 78763-5080 15. Supplementary Notes Project performed in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation Project Title: Texas Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Master Plan URL: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6807-1.pdf 16. Abstract This research establishes a baseline for the condition and utilization of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Texas (GIWW-T). It looks at what is needed to restore and sustain the GIWW-T to its optimum level, the major operational concerns, the impacts of operational obstacles including a lack of dredging, and how the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) might be able to play a more active role in achieving the goal of a highly efficient and safe GIWW-T. Recommendations include: Urge the Corps to restart the study process for the Brazos River Floodgates (which will probably need to include the Colorado River Locks). Cooperate with environmental and conservation groups to fund the placement of revetments along placement areas. Provide funding assistance for the creation of new fleeting areas that would accommodate all barge traffic; stay actively involved in reviewing permit applications filed with the Corps for development along the GIWW-T. Expedite the construction of the replacement FM 457 swing bridge (Caney Creek Bridge). Begin exploring real estate options for the placement area with the least estimated remaining life (PA86 in Brazoria County with an estimated remaining life of 12 years). Set up and maintain a web page to periodically update and publish selected metrics. Continue to pursue funding through the TIGER grant program administered by the United States Department of Transportation. Apply for Marine Highway project designation. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Coastwise, Texas Ports, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, No restrictions. This document is available to the public GIWW, Marine Highways, Freight, Marine, Waterborne through NTIS: National Technical Information Service Alexandria, Virginia 22312 http://www.ntis.gov 19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price Unclassified Unclassified 200 Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized TEXAS GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY MASTER PLAN: TECHNICAL REPORT by C. James Kruse Director, Center for Ports & Waterways Texas A&M Transportation Institute David Ellis Research Scientist Texas A&M Transportation Institute Annie Protopapas Associate Research Engineer Texas A&M Transportation Institute Nicolas Norboge Assistant Research Scientist Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Brianne Glover Assistant Research Scientist Texas A&M Transportation Institute Report 0-6807-1 Project 0-6807 Project Title: Texas Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Master Plan Performed in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration Resubmitted: August 2014 Published: March 2016 TEXAS A&M TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE College Station, Texas 77843-3135 DISCLAIMER This research was performed in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official view or policies of the FHWA or TxDOT. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project was conducted in cooperation with TxDOT and FHWA. We acknowledge the guidance and support that the following members of the TxDOT Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) provided: Sarah Bagwell, planning and strategy director, Maritime Division (project coordinator). Caroline Mays, freight planning branch manager, Transportation Planning & Programming Division. Peggy Thurin, systems planning director, Transportation Planning & Programming Division. Andrea Lofye, Federal Legislative Affairs. Jay Bond, State Legislative Affairs. Jennifer Moczygemba, systems section director, Rail Division. Matthew Mahoney, waterways coordinator, Maritime Division (not a member of the PMC, but provided valuable assistance). vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ x List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ xi Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 1 Background and Purpose ............................................................................................................ 1 Economic Importance of the GIWW-T ...................................................................................... 2 Dredging Issues ........................................................................................................................... 3 Physical Infrastructure and Safety Issues ................................................................................... 5 Intersections with Ship Channels ............................................................................................ 5 Floodgates and Locks ............................................................................................................. 5 Fleeting Areas ......................................................................................................................... 6 Mooring Areas ........................................................................................................................ 7 Encroachment ......................................................................................................................... 8 Economics and Funding Issues ................................................................................................... 8 Elevate the Priority of Economically Important GIWW-T Projects to the Corps and to Congress .............................................................................................................................. 9 Apply for Marine Highway Designation .............................................................................. 10 Apply for Federal Discretionary Grant Programs ................................................................. 11 Explore Feasibility of Florida Inland Navigation District Model for Texas ........................ 11 Consider Utilizing Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Funds ..................................... 11 Explore Ending State Diesel Tax Exemptions for Certain GIWW-T Users ......................... 12 Explore Public-Private Partnership (P3) Opportunities and Monitor Possible Inland Waterway P3 Pilot Projects That Might Be Pursued in the Future ....................................... 12 Explore Utilizing Texas Rainy Day Fund for Waterway Projects ........................................ 12 Consider the Panama Canal Approach for Texas ................................................................. 13 TxDOT Legislative Obstacles .................................................................................................. 13 Performance Metrics ................................................................................................................. 14 Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................................................................... 15 Chapter 1: Introduction and Background ................................................................................ 17 Project Purpose ......................................................................................................................... 17 GIWW-T Public Stakeholders .................................................................................................. 18 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ............................................................................................. 20 Texas Department of Transportation .................................................................................... 20 U.S. Coast Guard .................................................................................................................. 21 Texas Railroad Commission ................................................................................................. 21 Texas General Land Office ................................................................................................... 22 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ..................................................................... 22 GIWW-T
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