New Harbor Bridge opens to public

New Harbor Bridge opens to public

South Texas News

Landan Kuhlmann | June 29, 2025

A project that officials say has been decades in the making and will play a key role in opening the Coastal Bend to the nation and world has officially been opened to the public.

On Saturday, officials with the City of Corpus Christi and the Texas Department of Transportation joined other state and federal officials to officially cut the ribbon and open the southbound portion of the highly-anticipated new Harbor Bridge. Following the ribbon cutting, an official procession preceded the bridge’s official opening to the public later that day.

Inspiration and a desire for the project began about 25 years ago, with work officially beginning 10 years ago, according to officials. TxDOT said the northbound portion will open to the public in early July, fully completing a long sought-after dream for the region.

“This new landmark is a shining example of the innovative spirit of Texas and the commitment and collaboration of the community,” Texas Transportation Board Commissioner Alex Meade said. “With an expected service life of 170 years, this bridge will benefit the region for decades to come by providing faster commutes, safer travel and more economic opportunity.”

Congressman Michael Cloud, who represents much of the Coastal Bend and Corpus Christi region in Texas’ 27th District of the United States House of Representatives, echoed much the same sentiment.

“It’s exciting to see our community come together and celebrate this great momentous achievement. It truly is awesome to see this happen,” Cloud said. “This is the fitting gateway to this city and this region, and to the wonderful work that’s being done here on behalf of the community that lives here.”

Officials said the new bridge now boasts the distinction of being the longest concrete segmental cable-stayed bridge in North America. The bridge’s 1,661-foot-long main span straddles the Corpus Christi Bay, and rises more than 200 feet over the water, according to TxDOT.

The massive height, officials said, allows even some of the tallest and largest ships to be able to pass underneath and make their way into Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend – a fact which they say will be a boon to an already-bustling economy.

“To remain the Best State for Business, Texas must bolster our roadway infrastructure to meet the demands of our booming economy,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a proclamation. “The new Harbor Bridge is not only a testament to the collaboration, expertise, and dedication of the public and private sectors, it’s a gateway for jobs, trade, and continued growth in the Coastal Bend. As more businesses and families flock to our state, we will continue to invest in the infrastructure that keeps Texas moving forward.”

Cloud had a similar thought, again echoing the sentiment.

“What we do here, being the tip of the spear of what happens in the state of Texas and the lifeblood we are to the entire nation, it’s so important that we do this and it’s exciting to see us gather here today to celebrate it.”