The Final Goodbye: Corpus Christi’s Harbor Bridge Is Coming Down

In 1959, the Texas Highway Department, now TxDOT, built the largest project in its history: the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge. And now, nearly seven decades later, the last moments you’ll ever have of that bridge are officially coming to an end.

This weekend, the operation to decommission the Harbor Bridge will begin, marking the beginning of the end for the iconic South Texas bridge. Over the next few days, crews will carefully cut and lower the massive center section onto a barge.

From there, it will be hauled away to a dock between Portland and Ingleside. By Tuesday, that familiar shape that’s stood tall over the bay since the Eisenhower era will be gone.

It’s the final step in decommissioning the iconic structure that’s been part of Corpus Christi’s identity for more than 60 years. For generations, the Harbor Bridge wasn’t just a way to cross into Corpus Christi; it was the city's skyline.

“For more than 60 years, the 1959 Harbor Bridge has served as an iconic landmark, connecting the people and places surrounding Corpus Christi,” said TxDOT Project Manager Joseph Briones.

“While its removal marks the end of an era, we honor the history and memories it represents as we look forward to the new Harbor Bridge serving the next generation of Texans.”

The new $1.3 billion Harbor Bridge opened earlier this year, taller, safer, and ready for bigger ships and bigger opportunities for growth. But no matter how shiny the new one gets, the old bridge will always be the Harbor Bridge. The one we grew up with and the one we’ll never forget.