The future of the Texas coast is about to get a whole lot brighter.
Technicians and designers lit up the new Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi this week for a dazzling test run of its new aesthetic lighting system, treating late-night onlookers to a sneak peek of what’s to come.
During the test, crews cycled through a series of preprogrammed color themes, washing the massive structure in glowing waves of blue, green, and pink. The mockup, officials said, was a key step toward perfecting the bridge’s long-awaited light show—part of a full illumination rollout planned for late 2025.
Once complete, the new Harbor Bridge—already set to become Texas’ tallest and longest cable-stayed bridge—will feature a state-of-the-art LED lighting system capable of synchronized patterns for holidays, community events and major milestones.
The towering white cable bridge, now the tallest point in South Texas and the longest cable-stayed bridge in the nation, stretches 1,661 feet over the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Designed to replace the aging 1950s structure, the new bridge dramatically increases clearance for massive cargo ships, enhancing access to one of the busiest ports in America.
The Harbor Bridge Project—years in the making—aims to improve safety, ease congestion and support economic growth tied to the Port of Corpus Christi, a vital hub for oil, gas, and agricultural exports.
Crews are already staging equipment this month to begin dismantling the beloved but deteriorating 1950s structure. The main span is expected to be lowered this fall, a process that will temporarily close the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Full demolition is slated to wrap up by late spring 2026.