Welcome to the Harbor Bridge Website
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Corpus Christi District, is determining whether the Harbor Bridge, which spans the Corpus Christi Ship Channel at U.S. 181, should be replaced. A Feasibility Study completed by TxDOT in 2003 concluded that U.S. 181 and the Harbor Bridge must be improved to maintain a safe and efficient transportation corridor.
With substantial public input, TxDOT is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluates several potential alignments for a new bridge, as well as a “no-build” scenario (leaving the current bridge in place).
What are the project limits?
As you can see on the map below, the project limits (where construction would eventually take place), are bounded by Beach Avenue on the north, Nueces Bay Boulevard on the west, Shoreline Drive on the east, and Morgan Avenue on the south. These were the original project limits when the project started in 2005. Although extended limits were considered and discussed with the public in 2007, TxDOT has decided to retain the original project limits. In 2007, when the projects limits were extended south to SH 358 (SPID), TxDOT included managed or tolled lanes as part of the project. Based on revised projects limits, the proposed improvements will no longer include managed or tolled lanes.
The project will be developed under Section 6002 of Public Law 109-59, “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users,” (SAFETEA-LU), enacted on August 10, 2005. SAFETEA-LU implemented the development of a Coordination Plan for all projects for which an environmental impact statement (EIS) is prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.
The purpose of the SAFETEA-LU, Section 6002 Coordination Plan is to facilitate and document the lead agencies’ structured interaction with the public and agencies, and to inform the public and agencies of how the Coordination Plan will be coordinated and revised. The Coordination Plan will promote an efficient and streamlined process, and good project management through coordination, scheduling, and early resolution of issues as well as to encourage public and agency participation in and comment on the environmental review process for the Harbor Bridge Project. This Coordination Plan will be updated following each step of the NEPA process to describe the development of the EIS and public involvement processes.
Why this website?
We need your ideas and suggestions as we work through the EIS process for Harbor Bridge. This website and other social media tools (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, and a project blog) will help us communicate and collaborate with you as the project proceeds.
Visit this web site often to learn about project developments as they occur, and to submit your comments and questions during the entire process.
