AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced the commencement of the Old Queen Isabella Causeway Demolition and Artificial Reef Building Project at South Padre Island. This project will remove the old, dilapidated causeway bridge and use the material to create a new artificial reef site.
“As a Texan who grew up near the coast and lived there for over a decade, I am committed to protecting the people and wildlife life who call our beautiful coast home. I am thrilled to begin work on this project, which will utilize material from the defunct and hazardous Old Queen Isabella Causeway to create one of Texas's most extensive artificial reefs,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “By completing this project, the GLO will remove a threat to public safety, provide essential habitat to marine life, help enhance biodiversity in the area, and support South Padre Island’s recreational fishing. I thank everyone at the GLO, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), AECOM Technical Services, Inc, and Callan Marine LTD for their dedication to this essential project. Together, we will create new fishing habitat for future Texans to enjoy.”
Click the image below to view a video of the project:
Old Queen Isabella Causeway- Artificial Reef Project
The new reef will be approximately 10.1 miles offshore of the Brownsville Ship Channel entrance jetties at South Padre Island and will allow the currently unsafe and derelict bridge material to become habitat for marine fish and invertebrate species.
The commencement of this project represents the culmination of a multi-year coordinated effort across several GLO divisions, including Coastal Resources, Construction Services, Asset Management, and General Counsel. It also includes coordination with the TPWD. The project engineer, AECOM Technical Services, Inc., has been working with the project since 2021, and the project construction contract was awarded to Callan Marine LTD in May 2025.
In total, the project is expected to cost $9,229,834.20. The artificial reef will be managed by the TPWD’s Artificial Reef Program once completed. The GLO is excited to begin this project, which will help to ensure Texans are protected from this failing infrastructure while also creating a new reef site for the public to enjoy.
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.