The Port of Corpus Christi made a vital step for continued economic growth and operational safety last week with approval of a Project Partnership Agreement, and the acceleration of $32 million in Port funds to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to expedite initial construction phases of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project. The Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project will widen the Corpus Christi Ship Channel to 530 feet while adding additional barge shelves to allow for two way vessel and barge traffic in tandem.  The ship channel will be deepened to 54 feet MLLW (Mean Lower Low Water) to allow for safe passage of deep draft large vessels. The entire Project is estimated to cost $327 million with the USACE proportionate cost-share projected to be $225 million and the PCCA proportionate cost-share projected at $102 million. The PPA allows the Port of Corpus Christi to accelerate its portion of the Project cost-share, thereby allowing construction to commence ahead of federal appropriations up to $102 million. These funds are intended for use in the design and construction of the deepening of the CC Ship Channel from the Gulf of Mexico to Harbor Island just east of the Port Aransas Ferry Landing.