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Barge Strikes Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston, Causing Partial Collapse and 30,000-Gallon Oil Spill

May 15, 2024, 05:42 PM

A barge struck the Pelican Island Causeway Bridge in Galveston, Texas, at approximately 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning, causing significant structural damage and a partial collapse of the railway section. The barge, owned by Martin Petroleum, was carrying vacuum gas oil with a capacity of 30,000 gallons. The incident resulted in the closure of the bridge in both directions, effectively isolating Pelican Island from vehicular traffic. The collision also led to an oil spill, prompting a response from the Coast Guard to assess and manage the environmental impact. No injuries have been reported. The bridge connects the north side of Galveston Island, just west of the Port of Galveston, with the south side of Pelican Island.