TX: Port Corpus Christi Moves Forward with Design of New Facility

Port Corpus Christi Moves Forward with Design of The La Quinta Multipurpose Facility Project Taking the next step in the development of the La Quinta Trade Gateway project, the port commission approved a Professional Services Agreement for engineering designs with Goldston Engineering, a CH2M HILL company, on Tuesday, December 8, 2009. The multi-purpose facility will be designed to handle a wide variety of general cargo including containers, military, wind turbines, steel pipe, and more. Completion of preliminary engineering for full build out and final design for the initial 800' to 1000' dock will provide the necessary information to define costs and determine completion schedules. The goal is to complete the design and be ready to solicit bids for construction of the first dock by the end of 2010. “This is one more step towards realizing one of the most important Port diversification projects.

Goldston Engineering is no stranger to the Port, they have worked on many projects with us over the years. We look forward to working with them again” Said John LaRue, Executive Director. GE/CH2M HILL will design the water-side portion of the La Quinta project, which includes the dock and the slip in the channel. The Agreement provides for preliminary engineering for the projected full build-out of the docking facilities (three berths) and the final design of the first dock (one berth) and slip.

For 59 years, Goldston Engineering was a Corpus Christi based multi-disciplined engineering firm specializing in ports engineering providing planning, design, construction documents, cost estimating, environmental compliance and construction management services for marine terminals, municipal utilities, transportation, and coastal projects, regionally and abroad. The company has successfully completed many projects for the Port Corpus Christi and has been involved in various studies for the La Quinta project. In March 2008, Goldston Engineering was acquired by CH2M HILL combining the talent and resources of both companies.

CH2M HILL is an employee-owned engineering, environmental and construction company with over 25,000 employees world-wide and 600 in Texas. The company offers multi-disciplined services and experienced professionals in architecture, engineering, environmental services and planning for waterfront facilities, including ship docks, bulkheads, container terminals, cruise terminals, cargo facilities, military ports, and other maritime structures and installations. The ports practice is domestic and international with many projects along the Gulf Coast. CH2M HILL is repeatedly ranked by ENR as a leader in ports engineering. “Our great team of employees, past and present, is justifiably proud to have worked on nearly every facility in the Port of Corpus Christi. We are also very proud to continue to serve our friends and colleagues at the PCCA on the La Quinta project, which is an important milestone in the continuing development of the port.” William Goldston, P.E., CH2M HILL.

The primary economic engine of the Coastal Bend, Port Corpus Christi is one of the 10 largest ports in the United States in total tonnage. The Port’s mission statement is to “serve as a regional economic development catalyst while protecting and enhancing its existing industrial base and simultaneously working to diversify its international maritime cargo business.” Strategically located on the western Gulf of Mexico, with a straight, 45’ deep channel, the Port provides quick access to the Gulf and the entire United States inland waterway system.

The Port delivers outstanding access to overland transportation with on-site and direct connections to three Class-1 railroads and uncongested interstate and state highways. The Port is protected by a state-of-the-art security department and an award-winning Environmental Management System. With outstanding management and operations staff, Port Corpus Christi is clearly “More Than You Can Sea.”