Fletcher on House approval of 'Ike Dike': 'It's important for Texans to come together around supporting this project'

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation on Thursday (June 9) that includes a $31 billion coastal barrier project that aims to protect communities along the Texas Gulf Coast from powerful hurricanes, per a report from Houston FOX affiliate KRIV.

KRIV reported that House Resolution (HR) 7776 advanced in the House with a 384-37 vote and will head to the U.S. Senate. 

The project, known as the "Ike Dike," is listed under the measure, which, according to Congress.gov, authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to perform activities pertaining to water resource development projects, water supply and wastewater infrastructure, flood control, navigation or ecosystem restoration.

The Ike Dike takes its name from Hurricane Ike, the Category 2 storm that made landfall near Galveston Island on Sept. 13, 2008.

KRIV reported that Ike inundated more than 100,000 residences with floodwater and left damages of more than $30 million in its wake.

While the House approved the project itself, the money for it has yet to be approved, per the station.

According to a Texas Tribune report that was ran by Houston ABC affiliate KTRK, the Ike Dike is a massive concrete gate system that would stretch from Galveston Island to Bolivar Peninsula.

The USACE estimated that the gate by itself would cost around $16 billion and take 18 years to construct, per the report.

"It's important for Texans to come together around supporting this project," U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Houston) said in the report.

Texas A&M University at Galveston professor Dr. William "Bill" Merrell said that the Ike Dike drew inspiration from the Netherlands, KRIV reported.

Merrell told the station that the job of the Ike Dike would be to protect everyone.

According to the official Twitter account of the Harris County Judge's Office, Judge Lina Hidalgo hailed the vote as "a huge step forward" for the county.

"I am proud of the members of our Congressional delegation who are fighting hard to bring this project closer to reality," Hidalgo said in a tweet.