The Port of Corpus Christi received a $5.4 million safety grant from the Texas Department of Transportation via its 2019-2020 Port Access Program on June 4 to help improve the “safety and fluidity” of the Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor roadway and Rincon Road leading to the Rincon Industrial Complex.

[Above photo by the Port of Corpus Christi.]

The port said in a statement that significant growth in recent years along the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Inner Harbor, including additional rail infrastructure, necessitates a new frontage road south of the rail corridor that parallels the Joe Fulton Corridor to maintain vehicle safety and mobility.

The port noted it has made “significant investments” in the Rincon Industrial Complex over the last two years; one of the port’s newest facilities targeting breakbulk cargo such as wind energy components, military cargo, and steel pipe. Those investments include the construction of 40 acres of flexible cargo storage space and roughly 12,000 linear feet of rail to accommodate liquid transloading and processing of breakbulk cargo.

Additional congestion from the construction of the new Harbor Bridge has increased the traffic burden on Rincon Road, the port added, which is why the TxDOT-funded improvements will enhance truck mobility, highway connectivity and safety, including the addition of intelligent transportation system components.

The Texas DOT’s Port Access Program is funded by the Texas Mobility Fund, which is underwritten through vehicle title fees, driver record fees, driver’s license fees, and vehicle inspection fees. Its aim is to improve safety and fluidity of roads around Texas seaports, the agency noted.