Revised Plans for Massive 'Ike Dike' Plan Revealed

A $26.2 billion proposal to protect the coastal area around Galveston has evolved since its first iteration in 2018.

2 minute read

October 29, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Coastal Resilience

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Texas General Land Office / Coastal Texas Study

"The Army Corps of Engineers has released the second draft of proposed coastal barrier that would fundamentally alter the southeast Texas coastline, with massive sea gates across the Houston Ship Channel and 43 miles of dunes and renourished beaches spanning Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston," reports Nick Powell.

The Army Corps of Engineers selected a final version of the plan from four alternatives almost exactly two years ago. The project is designed to protect the coast of Texas in and around Galveston from a storm surge like the one that hit the area during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Among the big components of the project is a gate across the mouth of Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, according to Powell. "The gate would remain open year-round and would only be closed when a storm-surge event threatens the Texas coast or for annual maintenance checks and inspections," explains Powell. A ring levee protecting the north side of Galveston Island would also be connected to the Galveston Seawall.

The project, formerly referred to as the "Ike Dike," has undergone significant changes since its previous version: The gate would restrict tidal flow from the bay to the Gulf of Mexico by 10 percent rather than the originally proposed 27 percent. The price has also been lowered from an estimated $32 billion to the new cost of $26.2 billion, reports Powell. Since October 2018, the plan has also overcome some of the local opposition, on environmental grounds, to the plan after a series of hurricanes passed near the area this year alone and as the plan has been revised.

Now the plan will begin a public engagement process that will last until December 14. To help present the plan to the public, the Army Corps of Engineers has released interactive web features including 3-D virtual tours.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020 in Houston Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of residential street in Los Angeles with palm trees and hazy city in distance.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience

Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

April 27 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

April 27 - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

April 27 - WHYY