IH-37 will close from Staples to Chaparral at 9 p.m. Friday for Harbor Bridge demolition work expected to last up to 72 hours.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Drivers should plan for major traffic disruptions this weekend as the Harbor Bridge project shuts down a stretch of Interstate 37 to remove overhead bridge spans.
A full closure of IH-37 main lanes — both northbound and southbound — is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Friday from Staples Street to Chaparral Street and is expected to last between 48 and 72 hours.
Lynn Allison, public information manager for the Flatiron/Dragados Harbor Bridge project, said crews will work throughout the weekend to remove three bridge spans over the highway.
“So beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, uh, through early, early Monday morning, we’ll have this portion of IH 37 closed beneath me from Chaparral Street to the Staples Street Bridge,” Allison said. “We’ll be doing a full removal of those bridge spans this weekend, um, over the 48 hours.”
After the spans are removed, the section of IH-37 beneath them will need restoration and crews will continue work tied to new traffic connections.
“So right now what you can see is this portion of IH 37 that we’re on top of needs some restoration. So all of this section will be restored. There will be new connectivity from what is Tonqua Street that will connect from the Sea District area where you can connect onto IH 37 northbound or turn right onto Tonqua from IH 37,” she said.
Allison said nearby residents should expect increased noise during the demolition work.
“Tonight and through the next 24 hours will be extra noisy,” she said.
Motorists are encouraged to use State Highway 286 and Morgan Avenue as alternate routes.
“I highly encourage motorists to utilize the detour to 286 and take Morgan Street,” Allison said.