Breaking: Coast Guard awards South Padre Island its largest single construction project in its 235-year history

The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a record $200 million design-build contract to rebuild and expand Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, the largest one-time construction project ever issued by the service.

The contract was awarded to The Haskell Company and is funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to a news release the Coast Guard issued Wednesday.

Preliminary design and environmental work will begin immediately, with project completion anticipated in summer 2028.

The award represents the largest single task order in Coast Guard history, meaning the entire project — from design and environmental assessments to housing, waterfront infrastructure, and mission operations facilities — will be delivered under one unprecedented contract rather than divided into multiple phases.

Located about six miles north of the U.S.–Mexico border, Station South Padre Island plays a role in maritime border security, search and rescue efforts, and the protection of commercial waterways along the Gulf Coast. 

“This project will provide Station South Padre Island with modern facilities and empower them to continue operations to control, secure, and defend our southern border,” Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said in a statement, noting the project will also directly support U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations tied to border security and maritime enforcement.

The scope of work includes new buildings for the station, on-site housing for service members who are stationed there without their families, expanded sleeping quarters, and other facilities that support daily operations. 

The project will also rebuild docks and other waterfront structures, add a shared operations center with CBP, create dedicated space for specialized response teams, and construct a new harbor operations center. 

The work also encompasses all supporting infrastructure, including utilities, site improvements, and the full equipping of the facilities for use.

The Coast Guard said the project will be delivered on the shortest timeline ever achieved for a shore infrastructure construction effort of this scale. 

The planning phase was compressed from a typical 18 months to 45 days, while the contracting process was reduced from 15 months to four months.

The investment follows a fire on April 20, 2025, that severely damaged the station’s boat house and forced crews to temporarily relocate operations. Despite the damage, station personnel returned to patrol the following day and stopped a vessel carrying 130 pounds of illegally fished red snapper and 75 pounds of shark, the Coast Guard said.

“The courageous team of Station South Padre Island showed resilience and determination,” Lunday said.