Sabine-Neches Waterway Expansion to Start by Late September

The Sabine-Neches Waterway is one step closer to welcoming larger vessels with the latest partnership agreement signed for its deepening project.

Namely, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Sabine-Neches Navigation District (SNND) signed the deal on July 29 that would see the two sides start construction of the channel improvement project by late September.

The waterway’s current depth of 40 feet would be increased to 48 feet, while its length would be increased from the current 64 miles to 77 miles.

The USACE received the first round of federal-share funding for the start of construction of the Sabine-Neches Waterway CIP in November 2018.

The Sabine-Neches Waterway is the second longest waterway on the U.S. Gulf Coast. It currently ranks third in the nation for total waterborne commerce and leads the nation in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

“The role that the Sabine-Neches Waterway plays in providing access to global energy markets, supplying the nation with energy products to meet their demands, and delivering military cargo and equipment to our men and women overseas cannot be overstated,” Randall Reese, SNND Executive Director, said.