The construction of a huge new bridge that began in 2016 is still a long way from completion, amid numerous safety concerns.
The Harbor Bridge – stretching 506 metres across Corpus Christi’s ship channel in Texas – was set to be one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the US.
The plan was to replace the aged structure that was there originally, but it was halted halfway through the project after safety concerns found that the bridge could collapse if errors were not corrected.
Now, the project is well over budget and four years past its completion date – which was set for 2020.
Eight years on from its construction start date, pressure is mounting from concerned commuters who use the old Harbor bridge daily.
Corpus Christi in Texas is home to one of the largest US ports that serves an important gateway into the country.
The port needed to build a wider passage and larged bridge for ships for the growing gas and oil industries after World War II.
The original Harbor Bridge was built to cope with the new demands. First opening in 1959, the bridge’s through-arch structure was so tall that it allowed supertankers to enter the port for the first time.
But having been designed with a 50-year lifespan in mind, the state approved plans to build the new Harbor Bridge. Once built, the old structure will be demolished but an end date is yet to be set.
It was hoped the new bridge would have lower maintenance costs than the old one, but with it being well over budget it appears things haven’t quite gone to plan.
The deck will sit 62 metres above the surface of the water to allow ships to pass. Construction originally paused in 2019 after the collapse of a pedestrian bridge in Florida which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.
Investigations found the collapse was due to design errors from Figg Bridge – the same company building the new Harbor Bridge. The company was removed from the project and new firms brought in, with construction restarting in 2021.
But a further investigation found five key safety concerns that could lead to collapse. Now, reconstruction has started again but it is not clear when it will be completed.
