January 4, 2002

(Corpus Christi, Texas) – Zachry Construction Corporation was awarded a $37.7 million contract today to raise the JFK Causeway to a minimum of nine feet above mean high tide. the project is meant to alleviate traffic problems caused by hurricanes, tropical stormS, seasonal high tides and strong wind-driven tides

Because much of the fill section for the JFK Causeway is at an elevation of less than three feet above the mean high tide, traffic on the causeway is impacted by storm or tidal conditions, which flood the causeway, temporarily closing one or more lanes of traffic. The alternative evacuation route is the Port Aransas Ferry that must be shut down when the storm or tidal conditions prevent safe operations.

By raising the causeway to a minimum elevation of nine feet above the mean high tide, planners hope to provide uninterrupted traffic during periods of seasonal high tides and strong wind-driven tides. The increased elevation will also increase the "window" for evacuation prior to forerunner tides that occur hours or days before a tropical storm or hurricane event. The intent of this project is not to provide evacuation during high forerunner tides or a hurricane event; roadways most likely leading to the causeway, as well as the causeway itself, would be inundated.

The project will require the filling of approximately 14.2 acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands. A portion of the existing roadbed, west of Humble Channel, will be excavated to create 15.2 acres of new bay bottom. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit No. 22304 authorizes these activities.

In addition, a U.S. Coast Guard Permit Amendment (71a-70-8) at Humble Channel has authorized the construction of a new bridge at this location.

When completed, commuters will enjoy wider travel lanes and shoulders. Twelve-foot outside shoulders will provide sufficient room to move out of the travel lanes during both emergency and vehicle breakdown parking. Also, a new bridge section immediately adjacent to the Flour Bluff shoreline will enhance water circulation in the upper Laguna Madre.

The new causeway consists of a bridge section and a fill section. A new bridge section will be constructed from the Flour Bluff shoreline to near the Humble Channel Bridge. From the Humble Channel Bridge to the GIWW the roadway will be constructed on fill using concrete retaining walls. A recreation access road will provide access from the Humble Channel Bridge to the GIWW on the south side of the causeway. Improvements will also be made in Flour Bluff, O'Connell Street, to Aquarius Drive on Padre Island.

The JFK Causeway project is located within the city limits of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas. It connects the mainland with North Padre Island.

Construction is anticipated to begin in February 2002 and last approximately 30 months. Construction will occur in two phases. During Phase 1 the existing pavement will be widened on the south side of the eastbound travel lanes and traffic, one lane in each direction, will be moved to this south side. The westbound, travel lanes will be constructed. During Phase 2 traffic will be moved to the newly constructed westbound lanes and the eastbound lanes will be constructed. Final construction will provide for four 12-foot travel lanes, two in each direction, with four-foot inside shoulders and 12-foot outside shoulders.

Press release courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation website (www.dot.state.tx.us/txdot.htm)

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