Barge Collides with Galveston Bridge, Causing Partial Collapse and Oil Spill — Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Shut Down
A barge hit the Pelican Island Causeway Wednesday (May 15) morning, damaging a portion of the bridge and causing an oil spill in the bay, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.
The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is being shut down as officials respond to this incident, County Judge Mark Henry said, adding that the oil spill is heading in that direction, so the U.S. Coast Guard decided to move forward with the closure.
The closure is a huge blow to operations as significant maritime commercial traffic uses the waterway along the Texas coast.
It also has implications for those on Pelican Island. It’s located north of Galveston, with that bridge linking it to the city. It’s the only way on and off Pelican Island.
All vehicular traffic is stopped.
Sources: ABC 13
