It’s been in the works for six years now, and Cameron County leaders are celebrating a big step forward in the construction of the second causeway to South Padre Island. Cameron County administrator Pete Sepulveda calls it a major milestone.
The required final study on how construction of the second causeway will impact the environment has been submitted to federal authorities for review. Sepulveda said the environmental impact study has been in the works since 2012.
The second causeway would span 8 miles over the Laguna Madre, starting at the intersection of Farm to Market (FM) 510 and Buena Vista boulevard.
The plans are designed to have the most minimal impact to the wildlife and vegetation around the Laguna Madre, and Sepulveda said the county will also add more seagrass to those areas impacted by construction.
It’s up to the federal highway administration and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to authorize the project. Sepulveda says the 700 million dollar project has been getting a lot of support from the State of Texas.
Once the plan is approved, the county will seek bids to select a developer. They hope to begin construction by the summer of 2017 and have it finished three years later.
