Hinojosa: A New Chapter for Corpus Christi — A Bridge for Progress and Prosperity

Since I took office as your State Senator in 2003, replacing the Harbor Bridge has been a top priority. 

Back then, we were still assessing the feasibility of a new bridge to replace the Harbor Bridge, which opened on October 23, 1959. While the Harbor Bridge improved traffic flow and allowed the Port of Corpus Christi to thrive by enhancing ship navigation, the city’s population had grown from about 167,000 to an estimated 277,000 by 2002. 

The “Napoleon’s Hat” bridge had ushered in an era of economic growth for Corpus Christi, but to sustain this growth and continue prospering, a new bridge was needed. The call for action was strong, yet the journey toward a replacement bridge required immense work and time.

In 2002, pushback from various stakeholders emerged regarding the need for a taller bridge, along with significant concerns about costs and funding. Over the next few years, TxDOT began engineering and environmental studies, initiating coordination with stakeholders to address these concerns.

By 2005, TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration announced the project, but funding remained a critical issue. Several ideas, including managed lanes and toll strategies, were explored, but the project was put on hold in December 2007 due to funding constraints at TxDOT.

Despite this setback, the community remained committed to making this project a reality. In January 2009, I was appointed vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee, where I continued to push TxDOT leadership for action. In September 2009, we revived the project, and after two more years of planning, an agreement was reached with TxDOT that eliminated the need for tolling.

In early 2011, under the leadership of Texas Transportation Commission Chair Deirdre Delisi, TxDOT agreed to allocate $500 million for the bridge, contingent on our ability to raise $100 million in local matching funds. At that time, Corpus Christi faced an $11.5 million deficit and over $1 billion in necessary street repairs. Yet, visionary leaders from the city, including then-Mayor Joe Adame, Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal, and prominent business figures recognized the potential benefits for the community to replacing the Harbor Bridge and committed to making progress.

One of these leaders was Judy Hawley, former Chair of the Port Corpus Christi Commission, who recognized the bridge’s importance for our future. She played a key role in advocating for and securing the local matching funds, working alongside the Port of Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi MPO, the City of Corpus Christi, and Nueces and San Patricio Counties to contribute funds or land.

In 2012, the Texas Transportation Commission reaffirmed their commitment during a visit to Corpus Christi. By 2013, TxDOT confirmed the funding needed to complete the project, and I made securing additional resources a priority. I successfully included the Harbor Bridge project in Senate Bill 1730, which authorized TxDOT to enter into a comprehensive development agreement, allowing for expedited development through a public-private partnership.

In June 2013, the Texas Transportation Commission committed an additional $601 million in state funding, making the project fully funded. In 2015, TxDOT selected Flatiron/Dragados, a joint venture, to lead the design and replacement project. On August 8, 2016, I had the honor of joining Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Tryon Lewis, and other public officials at the groundbreaking ceremony. Fast forward to today, we now have a completed bridge. At the end of the project, due to unforeseen challenges and increased costs, the project ended up costing $1.2 billion.

The new bridge now stands as the largest cable-stayed bridge in the United States, with towers reaching 538 feet, surpassing One Shoreline Plaza by over 100 feet. This makes it the tallest point in all of South Texas, capable of housing the old bridge beneath it. The new structure addresses traffic, safety, and navigation issues and will significantly boost our regional economy.

The bridge will also enhance maritime traffic, complementing the newly completed Port of Corpus Christi’s Channel Improvement Project, which deepened the ship channel from 47 feet to 54 feet and widened it from 400 feet to 530 feet. Now, with a vertical clearance of 205 feet above water, the new bridge allows the Inner Harbor to accommodate larger vessels and tankers needed by Port customers. Given its status as the nation’s leading oil exporter and the fourth-largest port in total tonnage, the Port of Corpus Christi is well-positioned for even further growth.

This monumental undertaking could not have been possible without collaboration among the port, industry leaders, the business community, government officials, and the dedicated citizens of Corpus Christi. It has been a privilege to have been part of this process from the beginning to the end. I have been joined every step of the way by Texas House of Representatives Chairman Todd Hunter and former Representative Abel Herrero.  

I extend my gratitude to all contributors, including Nueces County Judge Connie Scott and former Judges Loyd Neal and Barbara Canales; San Patricio County; City of Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo and former Mayors Joe Adame, Nelda Martinez, and Joe McComb; Port of Corpus Christi Chairman David Engel and former Chairs Judy Hawley, Ruben Bonilla, and Charlie Zahn; the Corpus Christi MPO; TxDOT District Engineer Mike Walsh and former DE’s Chris Caron and Valente Olivarez; the Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., and former Chairmen Deirdre Delisi, Ted Houghton, and Tryon Lewis; Senator John Cornyn; Governor Abbott; and many others.

Together, we have forged a legacy that will provide growth and opportunity for generations to come. The new bridge is not just a structure; it symbolizes our relentless commitment to progress, prosperity, and a future that shines bright for Corpus Christi. Just as the Harbor Bridge marked the beginning of our economic transformation, this new bridge will pave the way for even greater achievements ahead.

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by state Sen. Juan Hinojosa, who represents District 20 in the Texas Senate. The column appears in the Rio Grande Guardian with the author’s permission.

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