Corpus Christi breaks ground on new Harbor Bridge

CORPUS CHRISTI – Local, state, federal, and port officials broke ground yesterday on the U.S. 181 Harbor Bridge Replacement Project that will result in the longest precast concrete cable-stayed span in the country.

The six-lane bridge will provide a clearance of 205 feet over the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and replace the existing steel-coated, six-lane bridge that lacks shoulders. With a clearance of 138 feet, the existing bridge, built in 1959, prevents larger ships—including the much larger ships passing through the newly-expanded Panama Canal—from accessing the port.

Flatiron/Dragados was awarded the design and construction contract for the replacement bridge. It will have a main span of 1,655 feet, and its two main towers will be 538 feet tall.

In addition to the bridge construction, the project includes construction of a new interchange at I-37, US 181 and SH 286 (Crosstown); reconstruction of about 1.6 miles of I-37; reconstruction of about one mile of SH 286; and demolition of the existing bridge.

The new bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2021 for about $930 million. Funding comes from local, state, and federal sources and includes a 25-year maintenance agreement with the developer.