Following Town Hall meetings at Port Isabel City Hall and South Padre Island Convention Center on September 18 and 19 to discuss the impact of a recent barge accident on tourism traffic to one of the state's most popular tourist destinations, Texas Economic Development (TxED) officials confirmed that South Padre Island is still very much open for tourism business.

The accident, which occurred on September 15, has temporarily closed the Queen Isabella Causeway linking the Island to the mainland. ``South Padre Island has always been accessible by both bridge and boat, and while the temporary closure of the bridge will curb some of the automobile traffic to the Island, additional ferries are being put into service to shuttle people to and from the Island,'' noted David Teel, Director of Tourism, Texas Economic Development.  

Currently, there are several pedestrian ferries that carry a maximum of 100 people and take up to 30 minutes to shuttle between the Island and the mainland. The ferries operate 24 hours a day, departing every 20 minutes. Complimentary trolley service is available from the ferry landings to area hotels and then on to a network of the Island's local tourist attractions and beaches.

``When South Padre Island first became popular as a tourist destination in the 1950s and early 1960s, the only way to reach the Island was by boat, and yet thousands of people came out to visit and discover our beautiful beaches, festive restaurants and fabulous resorts,'' said Ed Cyganiewicz, Mayor, South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.

``Ferry rides add a certain extra element of fun and adventure to a trip, which many people find delightful.'' Transportation officials predict that the causeway will be repaired and reopened by December, 2001. Supplies to the Island's stores, restaurants and hotels have not been hindered thanks to additional boats being provided by the Texas Department of Transportation.

For more information on South Padre Island, please contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-SO-PADRE (1-800-767-2373) or check their web site at http://www.sopadre.com.