Texas City Dike Could Reopen Next Fall, Businesses Might Not

A Hurricane Ike-damaged dike in Texas City, Texas, could reopen next fall after repairs are completed.

Mayor Matt Doyle says none of the funds earmarked for the dike’s repair will go to rebuilding the shrimp boat docks or bait camps.

Doyle says officials are “going to have to think real hard” before making any plans to let anyone rebuild a business along the dike.

The Galveston County Daily News reports city commissioners last week approved a $700,000 engineering contract as a step toward rebuilding the dike, which was damaged in the 2008 hurricane.

The contract with HDR Engineering is contingent on more than $5 million in funding from the federal government to be received by Texas City and Galveston County.

Reconstruction will begin at the end of the 5-mile-long pier.

Information from: The Galveston County Daily News, www.galvnews.com