Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse ~ September 15, 2001

In the early morning hours of September 15, 2001, the Queen Isabella Causeway was struck by a barge and a tug causing several sections to fall into the Laguna Madre Bay. Eight lives were lost and for the 66 days between the collapse and it's reopening on November 21, 2001, a variety of watercraft provided the only means to reach South Padre Island. Reconstruction took a mere 50 days after a contract was signed. Location: Texas, Rio Grande Valley, eastern Cameron County over the Laguna Madre Bay.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• queen isabella causeway
• causeway collapse
• bridge collapse
• port isabel
• south padre island

[uplftd1]

RIP Harpoon

[Cows4jessy]

my dad was a fire fighter and actually saved someone here.

[DJ13SlipKnoT]

i was about to be 4 in oct hope that this never happens again and that is weird that 9-11 happened 3 days before kinda seemed like the end but we still stand today

[islandgurlvsocean]

RIP Harpoon Barry

[Adrianlicous23]

i was 4 years old when it happened, i remember seeing the bridge like that so sad that this happened.

[culturesnharmony]

I was in Laguna Vista when this happened, we all thought we were being hit because 9/11 had just happened a few days before. Rest in Peace!

[ObsidianLeopard]

I was at the coast guard station when this happened. We all remember Barry. We also remember the port isabel fire chief and his significant other. He passed away just after their child was born. I remember this day just as clearly as 9/11. Especially since it happened just 3 days afterwards.

[657fireman]

@morgmagg Barry was my brother in-law god how we miss them both always in our hearts

[DrummerFL83]

yeah barry did my tatoos...

[morgmagg]

I knew someone who drove off that bridge, Harpoon Barry Welch. Had worked with him and gone surfing with him; he was a funny character. The older I get, the more people I knew are not around anymore. Guess one day it will be my time to go too. You never know when it could all be over.