Maritime Infrastructure Program  

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Maritime Division’s Port Development Team administers the Maritime Funding Program to support local governments in planning, developing, and constructing port-related transportation projects in Texas. This initiative is governed by two distinct funding sources: the Maritime Infrastructure Program (MIP) and the Seaport Connectivity Program (SCP). The MIP provides funds for port infrastructure projects such as dredging, wharf construction, security enhancements, and environmental compliance, while the SCP supports public roadway projects that improve connections to Texas ports. Both programs are funded by the state and are detailed in the Texas Transportation Code and General Appropriations Act, respectively. Eligible applicants include a broad category of local government entities, such as port authorities, municipalities, counties, regional toll and mobility authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, and in certain cases, private entities. A critical stipulation is that no single entity may receive more than 20 percent of the available funding during a fiscal biennium. MIP funding may be used for a wide array of maritime infrastructure activities, including land acquisition and equipment purchases, whereas SCP funding must be limited to construction-related public roadway activities and explicitly excludes rail, security, planning, and maintenance projects. The application and selection process is rigorous and includes the submission of projects for consideration in the Texas Port Mission Plan. Each proposal is evaluated using program-specific scoring criteria, and final funding decisions are made by the Texas Transportation Commission. After notification of award, several administrative requirements must be fulfilled within specific timeframes, including completing a project kick-off meeting within 30 days, submitting a design schedule within 60 days, and executing a funding agreement within 275 days. Additional documentation such as project maps, local resolutions, and qualification certifications are also required. The program mandates comprehensive oversight and accountability measures. Applicants must complete risk assessments and may be subject to periodic evaluations based on their risk profile. Projects must comply with all applicable environmental, accessibility, and permitting requirements, and monthly reporting is required throughout the project’s lifecycle. TxDOT’s oversight also includes regular inspections, verification of documentation, and coordination during key milestones such as design, letting, and construction phases. Application content includes detailed information about project scope, budget, design standards, and compliance certifications. Awarded projects follow a structured lifecycle from design through construction and closeout. This includes requirements for subcontracting, bonding, change management, inspection, reimbursement procedures, and final audits. The closeout phase includes a final review, documentation handover, and reconciliation of financial records to ensure all program and contractual obligations have been fulfilled. For further assistance, applicants may contact specific members of the Maritime Division, including Geir-Eilif Kalhagen (Division Director), Travis Milner (Plan & Dev Sect Director), and Heather Scott, Jason Hightower, Lisette Mason, or Ahide Gutierrez (Port Project Managers). Contact details including emails and phone numbers are available in the final pages of the program guide.

Begin the LGP 101 training early due to potential waitlists Carefully manage critical path deadlines post-award Use Gantt charts for design scheduling Submit monthly status reports and organize documentation early for auditing purposes