Vol. 6, No. 7 December 2021
The South Port Connector Road includes two bridges over wetlands in the area to minimize environmental impacts on the local ecosystem.
TXDoT Gives Port Top Marks
in Risk Assessment
The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT) in October issued the Port of Brownsville a grade A score for its Local Government Risk Assessment based on the performance of the South Port Connector Road construction project.

A risk score of A signifies that the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) presents a low-level risk to TXDoT based on the current project performance. The Local Government Risk Assessment and Qualifications Review process includes criteria such as a local government’s credibility, audit history, financial records, compliance, communications, expertise, stability, and teamwork. Interdepartmental collaboration between port departments was key in achieving the score.

Construction of the 1.9-mile South Port Connector Road Project began August 2020 and is slated for completion at the end of 2021. The road is one of the latest infrastructural advancements at the port that will benefit not only port tenants but surrounding businesses and support the space industry in South Texas.

The road will improve vehicular traffic safety by providing a connection between Ostos Road inside the port with State Highway 4, adding another entry and exit to and from the port as well as convenient access to commercial lanes at Veterans International Bridge.

The connector road is is the first phase of Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority's (CCRMA) larger East Loop Corridor construction project. The project is made possible by a partnership between the BND, Cameron County, the CRMA, the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (RGVMPO) and TXDOT. 
In accordance with federal and state regulations, TxDOT has a responsibility to determine whether each local government is qualified and has adequate resources and controls to perform project work, prior to authorizing it to perform any element of the project development process. 
Texas Southmost College, SteelCoast Company and Texas Workforce Commission officials assembled with an oversized check for $283,325 from TWC's Skills Development Fund to TSC to develop 170 new jobs and upskill 80 others at SteelCoast on Dec. 2.
TSC, SteelCoast Company Celebrate Workforce Grant
Texas Southmost College and the SteelCoast Company celebrated a $283,325 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission on Thursday that will be used to create 170 new jobs at the shipbreaking company at the Port of Brownsville and upgrade the skills of 80 additional SteelCoast workers.

TSC and SteelCoast officially accepted the grant in a ceremony at SteelCoast’s shipbreaking operations at the port, saying the jobs created will provide stable, well paying jobs and improve the lives of Rio Grande Valley residents.
Norma Torres Recognized as
Woman in Rail
OmniTRAX's Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railroad President and COO Norma Torres was recognized as one of Railway Age’s 2021 Women in Rail. The awards program honored 26 leaders for driving their businesses forward while helping to make a difference in the industry and in their communities.

Established in 2017, the annual awards are presented to women railroaders from the freight, transit and supplier sectors as well as government and trade organizations. They are based in the United States, Canada and/or Mexico.

In 2020, BRG smashed records with an all-time high of 51,115 loaded railcars handled at the Port of Brownsville throughout the year.

Since 2014, OmniTRAX, Inc., under agreement with the Port of Brownsville, has managed the BRG enhancing services for port rail users and connecting shippers and the port to three Class 1 railroads: Union Pacific, BNSF Railway and Kansas City Southern de Mexico for access into Mexico.
The Port that Works Stays Busy
Shipping delays and supply chain issues are not impacting workers at the Port of Brownsville. Crews are keeping busy offloading raw materials that arrive at the port.

"We had our best year in our history in the pandemic year, we increased our total cargo volumes from the previous year," Port Director & CEO Eduardo Campirano said. "We moved about 11.6 million metric tons of cargo, but also on the revenue side we had the best year ever."
Port Salutes Veterans
In honor of Veterans Day, the Port of Brownsville recognized employees and Brownsville Navigation District Commissioners on Nov. 11 who have served our nation. They were each presented with a special gift. Veterans at the port have served in all branches of the U.S. military. They are:
 
U.S. Army
·   Rogelio Acevedo
·   BND Vice Chairman Ralph Cowen
·   Rolando Doria (Not pictured)
·   Fernando Martinez
·   Jorge Moreno (Not pictured)
·   Marco Guzman
·   BND Commissioner John Wood
 
U.S. Coast Guard
·   Carlos Martinez
 
U.S. Marine Corps
·   Carlos L. Garcia
·   Ernest Garcia
 
U.S. Navy
·   Victor Gunnoe (Not pictured)
·   Jose Herrera
BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

Chairman

Vice Chairman

Secretary

Commissioner

Commissioner
PORT OF BROWNSVILLE ADMINISTRATION

Port Director & CEO


Contact Us:
Ph: 956.831.4592 / 800.378.5395
Fax: 956.831.5006
CALENDAR
December 7 
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 
 
December 13  
U.S. National Guard Anniversary 

December 14  
Customer Appreciation Luncheon

December 15 
BND Board Meeting 
 
December 21  
First Day of Winter 
 
December 24  
Christmas Eve - Port offices closed 
 
December 25 
Christmas Day  
 
December 26  
Kawanzaa Begins

December 27 
Christmas Observed - Port offices closed 
 
December 31 
New Year’s Eve - Port offices closed 
 
January 1 
New Year’s Day

January 6
Epiphany Day
Courtesy Photo Texas General Land Office
TXGLO Trains
at the Port
The Texas General Land Office Brownsville Oil Spill team participated in spill response exercises at Interlube Terminals at the Port of Brownsville in November to keep Texas coastal waters clean.

This exercise tested response times, booming strategies, response plans, and notification ability to make sure a facility is response-ready if a spill occurs.
The Port of Brownsville resumed operations under Port Condition 5 set by the U.S. Coast Guard after the 2021 hurricane season ended Nov. 30.

Port Condition 5 goes in effect during what is considered to be the non-hurricane season from December 1 to May 31 each year.

The 2022 hurricane season will officially begin on June 1. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center will issue its initial seasonal outlook in May.
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