Crews are preparing to lower the old Harbor Bridge’s six-million-pound center span, marking a major step in the structure’s long-awaited removal.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Old Harbor Bridge is one step closer to coming down as crews prepare to lower its massive center span — a key step in retiring the 1959 structure.

RELATED: Final phase of old Harbor Bridge demolition begins Saturday in Corpus Christi

The 300-foot by 100-foot barge Prometheus arrived in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel on Saturday. It will be positioned beneath the bridge to carry the six-million-pound steel center span after it is cut free, before being towed to a dock between Portland and Ingleside by Tuesday.

The operation marks the start of the final phase in the bridge’s decommissioning, part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s $1.3 billion Harbor Bridge Replacement Project.

City Councilmember Eric Cantu said the removal is bittersweet for the city.

“It’s sad. I think Monday will be a sad day for Corpus Christi because that bridge has been here for generations,” Cantu said. “That was our landmark — it was in our city logos and designs — but on the bright side, we have another beautiful bridge that’s going to bring jobs and opportunity to the community.”

TxDOT and project developer Flatiron/Dragados have spent months planning the multi-step process with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Port of Corpus Christi. For safety, the shared-use path on the new Harbor Bridge will be closed Monday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. while crews work.

City Manager Peter Zanoni said the bridge’s removal will also open up new opportunities for development on North Beach.

“Now that the old bridge is removed, that’s going to give us a chance to nicely finish the Lanier Park Canal all the way down to the Texas State Aquarium,” Zanoni said. “The aquarium has big plans to expand its site and rescue operations, which will be a big catalyst for change on that part of the peninsula.”

The new Harbor Bridge officially opened in June. Once the old bridge is fully dismantled later this year, TxDOT’s replacement project will move one step closer to completion — and Corpus Christi will bid farewell to a defining piece of its skyline.