PORT ARANSAS, Texas — A $64 million ferry landing improvement project led by the Texas Department of Transportation is expected to significantly impact travel times for visitors heading to and from Port Aransas during the busy summer season.
The agency recently closed Ferry Ramp Two as part of the ongoing upgrades, leaving three ramps operational at the landing. The construction effort, which began in February 2024, is anticipated to continue through at least the summer, depending on weather conditions.
Transportation officials warned that delays could become particularly severe during holidays and weekends, when traffic volumes are typically at their highest. With the Port Aransas ferry operating as a key transportation link between Aransas Pass and Mustang Island, congestion is expected to intensify as construction progresses.
In 2024 alone, the ferry system transported approximately 2.4 million vehicles and 3.8 million passengers, underscoring its importance to regional mobility and tourism. The ferry operates around the clock, with between two and six vessels in service depending on demand.
The improvement project includes several infrastructure upgrades designed to enhance long-term operations and safety. Planned work consists of installing pile clusters, fenders and steel sheet pile bulkheads to stabilize the shoreline, along with improvements to lighting, pavement, fueling systems and electrical infrastructure.
Construction activities have already experienced minor interruptions. In August 2025, work paused briefly after crews spotted a federally protected manatee near the landing. According to transportation officials, the animal “was not in visible distress” and remained in the area for about eight hours before returning toward Corpus Christi Bay.
Oversight of the Port Aransas ferry system, along with the Galveston-Port Bolivar route, was transferred earlier this year to the transportation agency’s maritime division from its regional districts. Officials say the shift is part of broader efforts to streamline ferry operations and improve system management.
Despite the temporary inconvenience, the upgrades are expected to improve long-term efficiency and resilience of the ferry landing, which plays a critical role in supporting tourism and local economies along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Travelers planning trips to Port Aransas in the coming months are advised to allow extra time, particularly during peak travel periods, as construction continues to affect ferry operations.
Originally repored by Chris Gray, Gulf Coast Reporter in Chron.
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