Barge collides with bridge in Galveston, Texas, causing damage and oil spill

A barge collision in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday resulted in oil spillage and the closure of the only road to Pelican Island, home to Texas A&M University of Galveston and Seawolf Park. The incident occurred when a tugboat lost control of two fuel barges it was pushing, hitting the bridge and causing oil to spill into the bay.

The bridge, which connects Galveston to Pelican Island, was struck by one of the barges, leading to the closure of the roadway. Aerial footage showed a rail line on top of the barge, which had never been used and was only for structural protection.

Officials are working to clean up the oil spill, and engineers from the Texas Department of Transportation are inspecting the bridge for damage. The bridge will remain closed until it is deemed safe for use.

Businesses on Pelican Island, such as Baywatch Dolphin Tours, are seeking approval to shuttle people off the island while bridge repairs are underway. The Pelican Island Causeway Bridge, opened in 1960, was rated as “Poor” in the Federal Highway Administration’s 2023 National Bridge Inventory.

The incident comes weeks after a cargo ship crash in Baltimore killed six construction workers. There were no reports of injuries in the Galveston collision, but the island remains inaccessible to car traffic.