George P. Bush, local leaders urge Trump to include costly 'Ike Dike' in infrastructure bill

Texas land Commissioner George P. Bush has sent President Donald Trump a letter signed by more than 60 Texas leaders urging the president to include a coastal barrier in his proposed $1 trillion national infrastructure project. less Texas land Commissioner George P. Bush has sent President Donald Trump a letter signed by more than 60 Texas leaders urging the president to include a coastal barrier in his proposed $1 trillion national ... more Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Staff Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Staff Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close George P. Bush, local leaders urge Trump to include costly 'Ike Dike' in infrastructure bill 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

GALVESTON – Texas land Commissioner George P. Bush has sent President Donald Trump a letter signed by more than 60 Texas leaders urging the president to include a coastal barrier in his proposed $1 trillion national infrastructure project.

"We believe we have all the support necessary; what we need is the $15 billion in funds to protect this crucial part of the nation's economy," reads the letter sent to the president Monday.

The letter – signed by 21 coastal mayors, six county judges and more than two dozen businessmen and educators – says that construction could begin on the barrier, popularly known as the Ike Dike, in 2018 if money is available.

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"These projects are in an excellent position to 'turn dirt' as early as next year and start the process of finally protecting the coast of Texas," the letter says.

The project would protect the coasts of Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Chambers, Jefferson and Orange counties from a storm surge like the one generated by Hurricane Ike in 2008, killing 74 people and causing nearly $30 billion in damage.