Corpus Christi starts $15M project in October to repair storm-damaged Packery Channel

Kathryn Cargo
Corpus Christi Caller Times

The city of Corpus Christi will be able to start repairing the significantly damaged Packery Channel in October after a four-year wait. 

Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 collapsed the channel's southern embankment along with its walkway and damaged a portion of the northern walkway as well. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the city $13.5 million for the repairs. Another $1.5 million for the job will come from North Padre Island's tax increment reinvestment zone. 

The city of Corpus Christi plans to start repairing the significantly damaged Packery Channel in October. Hurricane Harvey collapsed the channel's southern embankment along with its walkway and damaged a portion of the northern walkway as well.

The city opened bids for the project Tuesday. City Council is expected to award the contract in October. Construction is estimated to take about a year. 

“After years of relentless hard work, we can celebrate this huge milestone. Now that funding is secured, we can get to work on restoring the Packery Channel to make it an asset for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come,” Mayor Paulette M. Guajardo said.

Built in 2006, Packery Channel is a man-made pass that separates Padre Island from Mustang Island. It allows access to the ocean from North Padre Island neighborhoods that have connecting canals.

Mayor Paulette M. Guajardo speaks at a news conference Sept. 16, 2021. The city of Corpus Christi plans to start repairing the significantly damaged Packery Channel in October. Hurricane Harvey collapsed the channel's southern embankment along with its walkway and damaged a portion of the northern walkway as well.

The city had been going back and forth from FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers requesting funds to repair the Packery Channel. 

In December, the Army Corps' Galveston District informed the city the channel isn't eligible for corps funding because the project does not have flood risk management benefits, according to city documents.

In August, City Council took administrative action to pursue funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, instead of the Army Corps of Engineers, to repair the Packery Channel. 

The city of Corpus Christi plans to start repairing the significantly damaged Packery Channel in October. Hurricane Harvey collapsed the channel's southern embankment along with its walkway and damaged a portion of the northern walkway as well.

The work includes: 

  • Demolition and removal of damaged articulating block mat revetment, concrete walkway and bollard/cable barriers;
  • Construction of riprap revetment;
  • Placement of riprap as toe protection along the landside section of two jetties;
  • Re‐setting displaced riprap and armorstone blocks along two jetties;
  • Construction of new concrete walkway;
  • Construction of a drainage swale lined with concrete block mats;
  • Improvements to five existing storms drains;
  • Construction of five new storm drains;
  • Replacement of a section of aluminum handrail along one jetty as per the attached plans and specifications.
City Manager Peter Zanoni speaks at a news conference Sept. 16, 2021. The city of Corpus Christi plans to start repairing the significantly damaged Packery Channel in October. Hurricane Harvey collapsed the channel's southern embankment along with its walkway and damaged a portion of the northern walkway as well.

"The funding to repair the Packery Channel couldn’t have come at a better time as the island is experiencing a major growth in tourism and economic development," City Manager Peter Zanoni said. "A clear example is the private-public  development of the Park Road 22 Bridge that is currently under construction."

In fall 2020, construction on a $2.3 million, 100-by-2,500-foot canal on North Padre Island was completed. The waterway is to run under the $18 million Park Road 22 Bridge the city is building. 

Construction began on the Park Road 22 Bridge in October 2020 and is slated to be finished in mid-2022

The city of Corpus Christi plans to start repairing the significantly damaged Packery Channel in October. Hurricane Harvey collapsed the channel's southern embankment along with its walkway and damaged a portion of the northern walkway as well.

Kathryn Cargo follows business openings and developments while reporting on impacts of the city government’s decisions.See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe

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