Equivalent of about 186 football fields.  More than 600 TxDOT employees working weekly rotations have been brought in from around the state to assist local  employees in the hardest-hit areas from Corpus Christi to Beaumont.  All roads are now open, except one in Bastrop County.  Of the 4,300 bridges inspected following the storm, only 13 required repairs.

The Panama Canal has been widened to handle larger cruise ships, tankers & barges, so the locally based Contanda Terminals had acquired 339 acres with deep-water access for a shipping terminal.  Will be build in phases.  It will provide access to onsite processing, multiple ship and barge docks, and tank truck and rail car accessibility.  This will help to accommodate the larger vessels coming to Houston.

(1)  Make one extra payment each year.  Shaves off about 4 years of a loan.  (2)  Add a little extra to each monthly payment.  Probably better to simply make an extra payment when you can (less confusion).  (3)  Refinance to a shorter-term loan.  Often to do this, much have 20% cash into the loan already.  Be SURE YOUR LENDER DOES THIS CORRECTLY.  (4)  Create your own amortization schedule.  Like refinancing minus the fees & paperwork.  JUST CHECK WITH YOUR LENDER BEFORE YOU DO ANY OF THIS!