Posted on January 26, 2026
HOUSTON, Texas — The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA CW) The Honorable Adam Telle visited the Port of Houston Authority as part of his first official visit to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District, January 21, 2026.
Sec. Telle is visiting the Galveston District to see project sites, meet with stakeholders and non-federal sponsors, and learn more about the Galveston District’s mission along the Texas coast.
Sec. Telle, along with U.S. Army Major General Jason Kelly, the USACE Deputy Commander for Civil and Emergency Operations, met with Port of Houston officials to discuss the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) Improvement Project—locally known as Project 11. The Port of Houston is the local, non-federal sponsor for the project and is partnering with the USACE Galveston District to expand the channel.
“For too long, our strategic assets like the Houston Ship Channel were neglected, but President Trump is changing that,” said Secretary Telle. “Project 11 is a national security priority, and it’s a core part of the President’s agenda to rebuild America’s critical infrastructure, strengthen our supply chains, create more American jobs, and ensure energy dominance over our enemies worldwide. This project is a huge win for the state of Texas and for the United States, and I’m proud to see it.”
Major General Kelly also spoke of the importance of Project 11.
“This project reflects how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is focused on delivering engineering solutions that will strengthen our Nation for years to come,” Major General Kelly said. “Under the direction of USACE Southwestern Division, and managed on the ground by our Galveston District, the Houston Ship Channel Improvement Project demonstrates our shared commitment, with our partners, to maintain these waterways that represent one of the most powerful engines of our economy.”
Galveston District Commander, Colonel David Dake described how Project 11 delivers benefits to the Gulf Coast, Texas and the Nation.
“As the federal agency responsible for delivering the infrastructure that moves commerce, protects supply chains, and sustains national economic strength, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is executing one of the most economically consequential navigation investments in the United States,” Colonel Dake said. “In partnership with Port Houston, USACE is delivering the Houston Ship Channel Improvement Project, a project that improves port access, enables larger vessels, and strengthens the reliability of a maritime system vital to U.S. trade, energy, and national competitiveness.”
Port of Houston Authority Commission Chairman Ric Campo said the Port was honored to host Secretary Telle and Major General Kelly at the Port to discuss the current and future needs of the Houston Ship Channel.
“There is no substitute for seeing first-hand the size, scope, and spirit of Houston’s port and we are grateful they made the trip,” Mr. Campo said. “Houston is home to the largest port in the nation by far, which makes us perfectly suited to share our perspective on how government, industry, and ports can work most efficiently together to provide optimal benefit to our nation’s economy. From the very first federal cost share project in 1909, called the ‘Houston Plan’, to the ongoing Project 11, which is one of the fastest projects of its kind, Houston continues to set the standard for what can be accomplished when we work together and act decisively on behalf of our region. We look forward to working with ASA Telle and Major General Kelly to improve and expedite delivery of critical maritime infrastructure projects for our region and nation.”
When completed, the HSC expansion will widen the channel from 530 feet to 700 feet along the Galveston Bay reach. It will also deepen some upstream segments to 46.5 feet, making other safety and navigation improvements.
The HSC is a 52-mile-long channel with more than 200 public and private facilities alongside it. Expanding it is critical to safely and efficiently sustaining national energy security, domestic manufacturing growth, thriving U.S. exports, and expanding job opportunities.
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Contact
Luke Waack
luke.q.waack@usace.army.mil
or
Carlos Gomez
carlos.m.gomez@usace.army.mil
