Infra Insight Blog

The Texas Transportation Commission has conditionally awarded a comprehensive development agreement to Flatiron/Dragados for the longest cable stayed bridge in the United States.  The new Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge will allow larger ships to deliver their cargo to the Port of Corpus Christi, serving as an economic catalyst for the region and the State of Texas.

The conditional award, which took place at the April 30 meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission, authorizes TxDOT and Flatiron/Dragados to enter final negotiations for the design, construction, finance and maintenance of the bridge through a comprehensive development agreement.  Flatiron/Dragados, a joint venture comprised of Flatiron Constructors, Inc. and Dragados USA, Inc., was one of four teams the Texas Department of Transportation shortlisted for the project in June of last year.

The other proposer teams included:

• Harbor Bridge Constructors, a limited liability company owned by Walsh Infrastructure, LLC.
• Harbor Bridge Partners, a limited liability company owned by Kiewit Development Company.
• Traylor-Zachry-Fluor Crosstown Builders, a limited liability company comprised of Traylor Bros., Inc., Zachry Construction Corporation, and Fluor Enterprises, Inc.

All four shortlisted teams submitted technical and price proposals on March 24 and April 7, respectively. The proposal submitted by Flatiron/Dragados was determined to offer the best value to the state of Texas based on price and various technical criteria. Final award to Flatiron/Dragados is conditioned upon successful completion of negotiations and finalization of the agreement, as well as compliance with various legislative conditions to execution of the agreements. Commercial close is anticipated to occur in the fall of this year.

The Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge Replacement Project includes the construction of a new, cable-stayed bridge over the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel.  The design proposed by Flatiron/Dragados includes a mainspan of 1655 feet, which, when completed, will be the longest cable-stayed span in the United States.  In addition to the construction of the new Harbor Bridge, the project also includes the demolition of the existing Harbor Bridge, as well as improvements to US 181 and SH 286.

The project will address structural deficiencies and navigational restrictions of the current bridge, and improve safety, connectivity, and level of service in the area. The purpose of the project is to correct these established needs and to promote, enhance and spur economic development in the area. The scope of the comprehensive maintenance agreement includes the design, construction, finance and 25-year maintenance of the project.