If you’re a native South Texan, no doubt you are familiar with Corpus Christi’s big, beautiful, bridge. The one that is sure to mesmerize and to some may even seem a little scary to cross. You guessed it—the Harbor Bridge–the iconic roadway that is a distinct feature of the sparking city by the sea’s landscape is about to get a major upgrade.
The Harbor Bridge as we currently know it was built back in 1959 for a total cost of approximately $11 million dollars. It was considered the most important design work of Texas Highway Department Bridge Engineer Vigo Miller and was featured in Time magazine in 1964 for its exceptional beauty. No doubt our current bridge has served our community well, but increased safety concerns rooted in an aging infrastructure meant it was time to research a rebuild.
City and regional leaders have been working more than 15 years to pave the way for the construction of a replacement Harbor Bridge. After an extensive Environmental Impact Study, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was granted approval from the Federal Highway Safety Administration to rebuild the current structure. Now, here we are at the launch of one of the largest and most significant transportation projects in the region.
This summer, construction will commence on a new Harbor Bridge. This new structure promises to be just as magnificent and beautiful as the beloved, current Harbor Bridge. Making the most of the majestic views of the bay, the new bridge will be the longest, cable-stayed, concrete-segmental, bridge in North America.
The nearly $900 million project will include the development, design and construction of just over six miles of combined bridge and roadway. It will include the new six-lane Harbor Bridge, as well as, the reconstruction of approximately 1.6 miles of IH-37 and approximately one mile of the Crosstown Expressway. Once the new bridge is open to the traveling public, the project will conclude with the demolition of the existing Harbor Bridge. The design/build firm, Flatiron/Dragados, LLC, who were chosen by TxDOT to complete construction, anticipate the project will take five years to complete.
The new bridge design incorporates a number of aesthetic features including shared-use paths, a community plaza, nighttime LED lighting and xeriscape landscaping. Designers are aiming for the new Harbor Bridge to be just as iconic as the original. In order to get there, it’s anticipated that between 500 and 650 skilled workers will be needed to complete the job. For more information on employment opportunities and general updates about the Harbor Bridge Project, please visit www.harborbridgeproject.com.
