John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway is a concrete bridge spanning the Laguna Madre, connecting North Padre Island to the Flour Bluff area of Corpus Christi. The structure carries Texas Park Road 22 with multiple lanes in each direction, providing free passage for all vehicles traveling between the mainland and island.

The original bridge opened in 1950 as a toll facility, charging vehicles until the fees were permanently removed in 1967. In 1973, it was reconstructed using a new engineering method that made it the first of its kind in the nation.

The bridge was named in 1963 to honor President Kennedy following his assassination. Today it serves as a vital link that brings together residents and visitors traveling between the mainland and island communities.

Traveling across the causeway is free and typically quick, though traffic can grow heavier during peak seasons. It is best to drive during off-peak hours and pay attention to lane markings, as the bridge experiences congestion during late afternoon and early evening.

The 1973 reconstruction used a concrete technique so new that engineers called it post-tensioned segmental construction, making this one of the first bridges built this way. This method later became a standard approach for building major bridges across the country.

Location: Texas

GPS coordinates: 27.65803,-97.26127

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:06