On September 15, 2001 a tragic accident happened when a tug pulling 4 loaded barges hit the Causeway and caused part of it to collapse killing 8 people. Apparently the captain hit an unknown sand bar and lost steering control.
A ferry was used to get vehicles to the mainland while repairs were being made and within 2 months the Causeway was open to traffic once again.

The Queen Isabella is Texas's longest bridge and it connects Port Isabel with South Padre Island as it runs through Laguna Madre.

Photo note: I captured this scene one evening driving along the highway on South Padre Island. The spectacular sky colors were changing rapidly and luckily I was able to stop the car and grab the camera before the sun dropped away.