Galveston Barge Collision: Oil Spill and Road Closure on Pelican Island

“Barge Collision Closes Bridge, Spills Oil in Galveston, Texas”

In a dramatic turn of events, a barge collided with a bridge pillar in Galveston, Texas, causing a spill of oil into the nearby waters and closing the only road to a small neighboring island. Despite the chaos, there were no reported injuries from the incident.

The collision occurred when a tugboat operator lost control of the two barges he was pushing. The impact sent pieces of the bridge tumbling onto the barge, forcing crews to shut down a stretch of the waterway for cleanup. Fortunately, the one man who fell off the vessel into the water was quickly rescued unharmed.

While the accident did cause some disruption, experts believe it will not have a significant impact on the region’s economy as the spill occurred in a lesser-used waterway. The affected island, known for its university and industrial facilities, was temporarily closed following the incident.

The Pelican Island Causeway Bridge, rated as “Poor” in the Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inventory, was scheduled for replacement in 2025. With an average daily traffic of 9,100 vehicles, the closure of the bridge has undoubtedly caused inconvenience for commuters.

The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of maritime transportation and the importance of infrastructure maintenance and safety protocols. With cleanup efforts underway and investigations ongoing, the community is hoping for a swift resolution to this unexpected turn of events.