b'New Harbor Bridge Close to ConnectionAfter seven years of construction and delays, Corpus Christis new, iconic Harbor Bridge is close to connect-ing over the ship channel. The billion-dollar project was initiated to replace the historically perilous cur-rent, 1959 Harbor Bridge, while allowing larger ships to enter the Port of Corpus Christi that are coming through the expanded Panama Canal.What will be the largest cable-stay bridge in North America is held in place by over 7,500 strands of cable that are cut into sections ranging in size from 155 to 882 feet in length. Each strand of cable can support up to 135 tons per square inch, giving each cable stay the strength to support 1,000 tons of weight. The blue, epoxy-coated cables are sealed with an impermeable wax, protecting them from moisture, corrosion, and evenincidentsofchemicalorfireexposure.Engi-neered with multiple redundancies, the bridges cable support system will make our Harbor Bridge among the most stable and safe of its kind, in the world.For us Coastal Benders, the new bridge will mark the evolution of the icon of Corpus Christis skyline, which, yes, will be illuminateda feature of the old bridge that is long-missed. Above all, the new Harbor Bridge is the most visible sign of progress for our hometown, giving us all hope for a bright future.68THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE TheCoastalBend.com'