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In the 24 years since the catastrophic partial collapse of the Queen Isabella Causeway, the Texas Department of Transportation has worked to make the only entrance point to and from South Padre Island safe for its travelers, the organization said.

Following the 2001 event, caused when a barge struck the bridge’s center pylons, TxDOT reports that concrete dolphin piers and a fender system were installed to protect the bridge from vessel traffic inside the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway (GIWW). This was done on both sides of the bridge and a distance east and west of the GIWW.

The fender system is intended to protect the bridge foundation and guide vessels through the GIWW.

A bridge collapse detection system is also in place on the bridge deck. If there is any structural damage to the causeway, crossing gates on the South Padre Island side and the Port Isabel side will close and flashing warning lights on the bridge will also alert drivers of potential danger.

The barge that struck the bridge’s center pylons caused a 240-foot section to fall at the peak of its incline.

Last year, the causeway closed for roughly two hours after the bridge’s collapse detection system malfunctioned.

“Drivers were unable to access the bridge on the South Padre Island side of the bridge after the warning system gate closed, blocking both westbound lanes,” the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a news release.

The bridge reopened following a thorough inspection.

“The malfunction of the gate appears to have been caused by wind and rain,” the release stated.

Killed in the 2001 collapse were Stevan Rivas, Robert Harris, Hector Martinez, “Harpoon” Barry Welch, Chelsea Welch, Julio Mireles, Robin Leavell, and Gaspar Hinojosa.

The post TxDOT prioritizes safety of Queen Isabella, 24 years after collapse appeared first on MyRGV.com.