This project funds a vessel suitability analysis to plan and prepare infrastructure improvements that improve the ports ability to support larger vessels with greater tonnage

The Department of Transportation Maritime Administration awarded $1,218,279 to The Board of Trustees of The Galveston Wharves (Port of Galveston) on May 26, 2026, under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (CFDA 20.823) to fund a vessel suitability analysis and dock-condition assessment planning infrastructure improvements that expand the port's capacity to accommodate larger vessels with greater tonnage.

The recipient will conduct a comprehensive inspection and evaluation of existing dock facilities and appurtenances to provide repair and reconstruction recommendations with opinions of costs and schedules for budgeting purposes. Work includes review of available information on each dock facility, including previous inspection reports, drawings, construction specifications, and modification records; topside visual inspection of above-water structural components such as concrete decks and wooden piles; documentation of damaged areas, corrosion, and safety concerns; preparation of a scope of work document for and performance of underwater diving inspection, with the recipient witnessing and monitoring the underwater work; mid-level visual boat-based inspection of above-water structural components and exposed sheet piling; geophysical survey including ground-penetrating radar to identify voids within subsurface areas under concrete deck slabs; and preparation of geophysical reports and condition survey reports for each dock. Underwater inspection may be performed by a third-party diving contractor.

Performance occurs at the Port of Galveston, Galveston, Texas. The period of performance runs from May 26, 2026, through January 31, 2029. Assistance is provided on a reimbursable basis.

Activities to be performed the project will study the existing infrastructure docks and appurtenances to provide repair and or reconstruction recommendations and to provide opinions of costs and schedules for budgeting and planning purposes. IT will be completed in one component with the following elements review available information on each dock facility including previous inspection reports drawings of the structures construction specifications and information on previous modifications to the facility. Perform top side inspection of the above water structural components such as concrete deck and wooden structure components such as piles. The visual inspection will document the conditions visible from areas with pedestrian access and from the water. Document the location of damaged area corrosion and safety related concerns. Prepare a scope of work document for the below water IE diving inspection and perform underwater inspection. Witness and monitor underwater inspection of marine structures. Provide report to document the findings including summary of observations and recommendation of the overall condition report document. This work may be performed by a third party diving contractor. Perform a mid level visual inspection of the above water structural components from a boat. The visual inspection will document the condition of structural members and exposed sheet piling down to the water surface. Perform and monitor a geophysical survey including ground penetrating radar GPR where needed to identify the presence and lateral extent of voids within the subsurface under the concrete deck slabs. Provide geophysical report with discussion interpretation and plan view diagram of lateral extent of voids. Prepare condition survey report for each dock summarizing observations from the inspections along with general recommendations for maintenance repairs or element replacements. This report must include photographs sketches and drawings as required for estimating. The underwater and geophysical report must be included in the condition survey as appendices. Prepare preliminary recommendations as to repair or replace options and structure or appurtenances improvements if any to allow the berths to be modified based on the analysis and present a report to the district commissioners and staff on the recommended path forward with respect to each of the docks as required. Professional engineering design services design phase engineering services for dock upgrades provide scope of work fee and schedule required to design and prepare construction contract documents specifications and drawings for the desired dock upgrades to be procured as a design bid build solicitation. Services required to support the development of contract documents may include but not be limited to survey boundary topo SUE bathymetric obstruction condition topside and underwater PE inspections and reporting permitting and regulatory deliverables expected outcomes as a planning grant there are no performance measures. Intended beneficiary brownsville navigation district of cameron county TX. Subrecipient activities none.