The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met on Friday, November 18, and conducted its annual Budget Workshop. It approved the proposed 2023 operating budget and capital plan, which will guide staff in the operation and management of Port Houston facilities and activities for the Fiscal Year 2023.

The approved 2023 Capital plans comprehend an Operating Capital Improvement Projects budget of $579 million and $99 million for Project 11 – the expansion of the Houston Ship Channel. Capital plans continue for accelerated container capacity additions to provide efficient growth opportunities for Port Houston’s customers.

The Port Commission approved tariff rate changes effective January 2023 which align fees with escalating operating costs and support infrastructure investment to keep Port Houston terminals competitive.

The Port Commission will meet next on December 6.

Source: porthouston

On Monday, December 12, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will return nine major bus routes to regular operating service frequency.

In June, to provide service dependability for riders, DART implemented a five-minute service frequency reduction on 31 bus routes due to the nationwide shortage of bus operators. Thanks to an aggressive hiring initiative by the agency, DART is returning nine bus routes to regular service ahead of schedule.

Bus Route Frequency Adjustments
15-minute peak and 20-minute midday service will resume on the following routes:

DART Bus Route 13 Ervay
DART Bus Route 15 Buckner
DART Bus Route 16 Ferguson
DART Bus Route 17 Skillman
DART Bus Route 18 Samuell
DART Bus Route 20 Northwest Highway
DART Bus Route 22 Forest Lane
DART Bus Route 38 Ledbetter
DART Bus Route 57 Westmoreland

DART plans to return the remaining 22 bus routes to regular service frequency on January 23, 2023.

Bus Bay Changes
To improve schedule efficiency and provide more direct service, DART Bus Route 13 will serve Hatcher Station in both directions from stops on Elsie Faye Heggins Street. Route 13 will no longer use the triangular routing over Lagow and Robert L. Parish streets to enter the station on Scyene Road.

Source: dart

A large fire has been reported at a welding gas supplier Wednesday in Brazoria County, according to the Freeport Fire Department.

Officials said a CenterPoint substation caught on fire located at Praxair, Inc., located at TX-332, southeast of Highway 288.

The substation feeds power to the plants and residents of Freeport and the oil inside caught on fire. About 2,500 residents are without power due to the incident, according to the Freeport fire chief.

There is currently no danger to the public.

Emergency crews and firefighters are at the scene and are on backup generators.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

No injuries have been reported.

Source: click2houston