SPI Bayside ROW Feasibility Study and Alternatives Analysis Report

Project Description

South Padre Island is a narrow, semi-tropical barrier island situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Lower Laguna Madre. The City of South Padre Island is actively implementing best practices to protect its shorelines. Over the past 15 years, the City has been restoring the natural dune system on the Gulf side of the island. This has increased protection from erosion, but the bayside remains prone to flooding and erosion. Each western street ending is maintained as a bayside public right-of-way. As the town was developed, a bulkhead was constructed from West Palm Street to West Mesquite Street; the remaining street endings were left to naturally slope into the Laguna Madre. Over time, with increased inundation from wind fetch, recreational boating, and storm events, the natural endings have started to succumb to erosion and flooding. The data collected for the F&AA includes topographic/bathymetric surveying, geotechnical investigation, shoreline erosion rates, site drainage data, and field habitat investigation. The F&AA will also be presented to City residents as public outreach for public feedback.