Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees has announced that the mobility and economic impacts of a fifth cruise terminal at Pier 14 are being analyzed as the Port implements its updated 20-Year Strategic Master Plan. 

According to him, a recently completed traffic study for the proposed terminal showed minimal traffic impacts on Harborside Drive and other roadways used to access the port’s east cruise area. 

The new terminal will be located between terminals 10 and 16, which was inaugurated last year. 

“We’re also preparing to hire a consultant to complete the first phase of a broader mobility study for an area bound by Galveston Harbor and 14th, 33rd and Church streets, which encompasses portions of port property, adjacent neighborhoods and downtown Galveston,” noted Rees.

“The consultant will analyze existing conditions, evaluate increased demand from future port growth and present mitigation solutions for increased traffic.”

Since the 20-Year Strategic Master Plan incorporates mobility into all phases of port growth, a two-mile-long internal roadway, onsite parking and new roads to facilitate traffic circulation have already been built.

Rees highlighted that recommendations from a completed traffic study and lessons learned from the first four terminals will be incorporated into the fifth terminal.

In this context, it was found that traffic during peak terminal operations would result in minimal delays at the 14th Street-Harborside Drive intersection, which could be mitigated with a longer eastbound left-turn lane and flashing yellow arrow signals for eastbound and westbound turns.

“As you can see, we’ll begin Phase 1 of this new mobility study on a strong foundation of research from this traffic study and our master plan, as well as city and port Comprehensive Safety Action Plans,” added Rees.

“Mobility plans look beyond traffic flow to understand and improve upon how vehicles and pedestrians move. As Galveston’s popularity grows as a cruise and tourism destination, managing pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be key to sustainable economic growth.”

As for economic impacts, a study has shown that a fifth cruise terminal will boost the regional economy with 1,500 jobs, $278 million in direct business revenue and $7.9 million in state and local taxes, underlined Rees.

Furthermore, the city of Galveston and its taxpayers are also are set to benefit directly through cruise passenger and parking fee agreements with the port.

The plan also envisions a new commercial area, including the Battleship Texas at Pier 15, hotels, retail, restaurants, greenspace and multifamily housing.