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Houston Receives $1.528M Port Security Grant

Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.

September 15, 2004

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Tom Ridge announced that the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) will receive $1.528 million of the $49 million allocation in Round 4 federal port security grants. The funds will be used for implementing controlled entry through the main gates to the port's Turning Basin. The PHA had applied for approximately $18.7 million in port security grant funds for a cohesive security program involving surveillance, technology, infrastructure, and communications equipment to secure the port.

"The announcement of these grant funds is great news not only for the Port of Houston Authority but the entire Houston region," stated Jim Edmonds, PHA Chairman. "These grant funds will be put to good use to ensure safety and security at the port and protect the free flow of trade through our facilities. The port authority is fortunate to have friends like our Texas delegation on Capitol Hill. I commend our congressional leaders as well as U.S. Coast Guard Captain Richard Kaser for their outstanding efforts to raise the importance of port security as a national priority."

Turning Basin Main Gate Project

The scope of this project will involve implementing controlled entry through the main entry gates into the port's Turning Basin area. The project will comprise upgrading the main gate to incorporate access control systems for the processing of credentialed vehicles and individuals requiring entry into the port facility. The project includes security fencing, automated gates, access control systems, camera surveillance systems, a guard station, and related improvements.

This project was recommended to improve security in an assessment completed last year by CH2MHILL relating to properly and consistently identifying individuals who want to enter the facility, controlling access into and throughout the facility, and keeping a record of all people entering and leaving the facility. The project is expected to start soon after the official notification process is completed.

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