LI Bridge News documents the ongoing journey of the Long Island Bridge Board’s battle to alleviate issues regarding the community’s swing bridge. Cindy Sturlin is the director of the Long Island Owners Association Board. Here, Sturlin illustrates why she believes a Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) Section 216 Study is important by using a GIWW Fact Sheet written by Gene Washburn, their USACE local consultant. He originally wrote this explanation with Dawson and Associates, their D.C. consulting firm.
Why your support is needed
We need your backing for a comprehensive review of the functionality of the lower end of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) near Port Isabel, Texas.
The situation
The GIWW was completed in 1949, originally intended to facilitate the shipment of agricultural goods. Since then, the region has undergone significant changes:
• Development: Port Isabel has grown substantially, and Long Island has transformed into a booming community. Long Island Village, a gated community with over 1,000 homes, generates thousands of hours of employment each month,
benefiting the economy of nearby areas like Brownsville and Matamoros.
• Port of Brownsville: This port has experienced rapid growth and is on track to become one of the top 10 ports in the U.S.
• Major Infrastructure Projects: The region now hosts SpaceX testing and manufacturing facilities. Additionally, the Rio Grande LNG and Next Decade carbon capture facilities are under construction, further increasing the area’s economic and
industrial activity.
The problem
• Increased traffic: Recreational and commercial traffic have both surged. The local bridge must open 20-40 times daily, resulting in around 7,300 openings in 2021. This has led to substantial delays for vehicular traffic.
• Aging infrastructure: The S. Garcia Street Bridge, crucial for the area, is more than 30 years past its design life. Maintenance has become increasingly costly and complex. The bridge remains in private ownership, compounding the issue.
• Larger, hazardous cargo: The size of barges using the waterway has increased, and approximately 90% of the cargo passing through the bridge consists of highly flammable materials, posing significant safety risks.
Why this matters
The GIWW was designed for a different era. Today’s conditions—including increased development and traffic, aging infrastructure and hazardous cargo—create serious risks. Maintaining and repairing the bridge has become expensive and less effective. Further deterioration or an unexpected closure would have profound economic, social and safety impacts.
The case for action
A 1995 report by Goldston Engineering concluded that realigning the channel would be economically beneficial, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not yet assessed this alternative. With the Port of Brownsville’s growth and increased industrial and commercial activity, now is the time for a full-scale review of the southern end of the GIWW.
What you can do
Please support this critical initiative by contacting Senator John Cornyn or Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. Together, we can help ensure this vital waterway is operated safely and efficiently.