January 15 - Plans to develop a 12.5 hectare storage area at the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas have been unveiled.

Port managers will use the multi-million dollar development to house project and heavy lift shipments. The new area, which will also be used for military storage, will see increased paving and new lighting and security fencing.

The development has been prompted by the growth the port expects to enjoy this year and into the next decade from an increase in wind farm and military equipment traffic. Last year, in excess of 200,000 tonnes of such material passed through the port.

The location of the North Bank Open Storage Area is on the Corpus Christi Inner Harbor north side. Federal funds under President-elect Barack Obama's Infrastructure Stimulus Package are available only if the site is shovel-ready, prepared for the commencement of construction, by 2010 so managers are seeking groundwork to be completed as quickly as possible.

Some USD4.5 million has been allocated over the next two years for the project and a local consultancy for the project has been appointed.

John LaRue, the port's executive director, told the media: "Our goal is to complete the design in February and to bid for the project in March. Staff may request that the commission reallocate capital funding to complete the entire project in 2009. This decision will be presented in April, based on market demands at the time of the contract award.

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