Federal and local agencies are modernizing Port Arthur’s flood protection system through an $863 million upgrade designed to reduce coastal storm surge and improve community resilience.
The project, part of the Sabine to Galveston Coastal Storm Risk Management Program, will rebuild more than 20 miles of protective structures across Jefferson County. Plans include new concrete floodwalls, upgraded levees, 20 closure gates, and a new pump station.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will fund 65 percent of the cost through the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act, with Drainage District 7 providing the local share.
Construction is advancing in multiple contracts. Work now underway targets several pump stations, while a $404 million phase begins in 2026. Final completion is anticipated in 2036.
Officials said upcoming public meetings will inform residents about construction schedules and neighborhood impacts.