Houston Receives $1.528M Port Security Grant
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.
