Speakers prepare to turn the first shovels of dirt at the Galveston Wharves cargo groundbreaking ceremony on July 24. From left: Daniel Lawless from U.S. Congressman Randy Weber’s office; Glenna Brunn, Texas Ports Association executive director and CEO; Geir-Eilif Kalhagen, Texas Department of Transportation Maritime Division director; Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO; Texas Senator Mayes Middleton; Galveston Mayor Craig Brown; Jeff Patterson, Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees vice chairman; Maggie Albrecht, from Texas Rep. Terri Leo Wilson’s office; and Alan Robb, president, International Longshoremen’s Association, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District.

The Galveston Wharves has kicked off more than $90 million in phased construction work to improve and expand its West Port Cargo Complex and grow its cargo business. The groundbreaking ceremony on July 24 marked the beginning of major infrastructure work set to be completed in 2026.

Funded by port revenues and a $36 million state grant, the work will add 30 acres of cargo-handling area and a new 1,424-long berth. The port will enclose two outdated slips and demolish a decommissioned grain elevator to open up more land for cargo, particularly roll-on/roll-off and wind turbine pieces.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said in his remarks, “This is the first time in more than 50 years that the port has made this kind of investment in our cargo infrastructure. We’re able to fund this work thanks to the tremendous growth of our cruise business and the historic state funding allocated for port infrastructure improvements.”

Rees went on to recognize the many port partners who played a role in the port’s progress, including the Texas Department of Transportation Maritime Division and the International Longshoremen’s Union, as well as state and federal officials and the port’s cargo tenants.

Mayor Craig Brown commented, “This is a great day for Galveston. Not only are we kicking off more than $90 million in cargo infrastructure improvements, the port is beginning construction this summer on its fourth cruise terminal, a $151 million investment in the port’s future.

“That’s a total of almost $250 million. This is a phenomenal milestone for our 199-year-old port and for the city of Galveston.”