Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse: Remembering the Deadliest Bridge Disaster in Texas History

Residents in Port Isabel and South Padre Island, Texas are facing difficult memories after the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge made national headlines on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

What Happened to the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge?

Spanning the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, The Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge opened in 1977. The steel arch bridge was just over a mile-and-a-half long and collapsed after a collision with a large container ship on the morning of March 26.

Did a Bridge Collapse Occur in Texas, Too?

Sadly, a Texas bridge also collapsed after a collision with a ship. The Queen Isabella Causeway collapse, which occurred two decades ago, is still at the forefront for many families in Port Isabel and South Padre Island.

What Happened to the Queen Isabella Causeway?

The Queen Isabella Causeway opened in 1974, spanning the distance between Port Isabel and South Padre Island. Countless travelers crossed the causeway en route to their vacations on South Padre Island, enjoying the pristine views of the Laguna Madre.

A loaded barge crashed into one of the causeway's support columns on the morning of September 15, 2011. Two 80-foot spans of the causeway fell into the water below, and eight people lost their lives as a result of the ready collision.

Has the Queen Isabella Causeway Been Repaired?

The bridge reopened on November 12, 2011; it has since been renamed the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge to honor those who lost their lives on September 15, 2011. The Texas Department of Transportation plans to add a second causeway to South Padre Island in 2024.