The LED lights on the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge have indicated special days and blinked in tandem with fireworks and music for the Fourth of July and Friday night Whataburger Field displays for over 10 years. They will be removed within the next 10 weeks by a vote of the Corpus Christ City Council. Courtesy photo
Funds to build the new Harbor Bridge increased by $15 million recently when the Port of Corpus Christi agreed to provide the money and a needed right of way. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the project is on track to begin construction later this year. Construction is expected to last at least five years, with completed slated for 2020.
Final terms of the agreement, which was initially hashed out in mid 2013, include payments from the port of $3 million in each of the next five years. First payment was expected to be made in February.
Total cost of the bridge should run between $700 million to $1 billion. Bids from four different constructions teams were expected to be submitted by the end of February.
The new bridge will allow 205 feet of vertical clearance, allowing bigger ships to pass through, boosting traffic and business for the port. Cable-stay construction will resemble the Fred Hartman Bridge over the Houston Ship Channel. It’s longest span will measure 1,600 feet compared to the longest span of 1,250 on the Fred Hartman.
