JANUARY 15, 2026 — The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a $200 million design-build contract to The Haskell Company for the comprehensive recapitalization and expansion of Coast Guard Station South Padre Island in South Padre Island, Texas. This award marks the largest single task order in the history of the Coast Guard’s military construction program.
The contract, funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will deliver the design and construction of more than 120,000 square feet of essential facilities and supporting infrastructure, directly enhancing mission readiness and execution for Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection personnel on the southwest U.S. border in Texas. Preliminary design and environmental work will begin immediately, with project completion anticipated in summer 2028.
Located six miles north of the United States-Mexico border, Station South Padre Island is at the forefront of securing the U.S. southern border. The recapitalization project will support the Coast Guard’s operations to secure the U.S. border and maritime approaches, facilitate commerce vital to economic prosperity and strategic mobility, and respond to contingencies along the Gulf Coast and surrounding waterways.
The scope of work includes:
- Environmental assessment, site survey investigations, and design services for various facilities
- Construction of new station facilities
- Construction of Unaccompanied Personnel Housing (UPH), additional berthing, and mission support facilities
- Rebuilding of waterfront infrastructure
- Construction of a Joint Operations Center and Customs and Border Protection support space
- Forward operations space for Deployable Specialized Forces
- Delivery of a new harbor operations center and other mission support facilities
- Comprehensive site development, utilities, and outfitting
The project represents the largest award value for a shore infrastructure construction project in Coast Guard history and will be delivered on the shortest timeline to date. The planning phase was compressed from the standard 18 months to 45 days, while the contracting process was reduced from 15 months to four months.
On April 20, 2025, a fire severely damaged the boat house at Station South Padre Island, forcing crews to relocate operations. The next day, station personnel responded to reports of illegal fishing and interdicted a vessel in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, where they discovered 130 pounds of red snapper and 75 pounds of shark on board.
“The courageous team of Station South Padre Island showed resilience and determination,” said Admiral Kevin Lunday, acting Commandant of the Coast Guard. “The day after fire severely damaged facilities at Station South Padre Island, this crew was back on patrol, successfully interdicting illicit activity in one of our most complex operating environments. 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.”
About the U.S. Coast Guard
With more than 95,000 miles of shoreline, 25,000 miles of navigable rivers and 4.5 million square miles of U.S. exclusive economic zone, the U.S. Coast Guard defends the Nation, protects the marine transportation system, regulates and safeguards ports and waterways, leads the Nation in maritime drug interdiction and secures the maritime border. As a member of the joint force, a law enforcement organization, a regulatory agency and a member of the U.S. intelligence community, the Coast Guard employs a unique mix of authorities to ensure the safety and integrity of the maritime domain to protect the economic and national security of the nation. More than 76,000 members of the Coast Guard operate a multi-mission, interoperable fleet of more than 220 cutters, 185 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, 1,300 boats and its own dedicated cyber command to protect critical maritime infrastructure.
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