The bridge connects the north side of Galveston Island just west of the Port of Galveston with the south side of Pelican Island. Some people were stranded for hours.
It happened just before 10 a.m. Crews from the Texas Department of Transportation went to the scene to assess the damage. The bridge remained closed until it was deemed safe to use. City officials said there were no reported injuries.
Around 2:30 p.m., one lane of the causeway reopened, allowing those who were stranded on Pelican Island to leave.
Power was temporarily interrupted to Pelican Island, which is home to Texas A&M University at Galveston.
Aerial views from Air 11 showed that a part of the train trestle that runs along the bridge had collapsed.
The bridge connects the north side of Galveston Island just west of the Port of Galveston with the south side of Pelican Island. It’s the only road on and off Pelican Island.
City officials said Harborside Drive was open to east-west traffic but drivers wouldn’t be able to turn north toward Pelican Island from 51st and Harborside. Galveston police officers detoured traffic.
Intracoastal Waterway closed in Galveston
While vehicle traffic was halted on the bridge, it also stopped vessels in the water.
Emergency officials said Martin Petroleum owns the barge that hit the bridge.
There is an oil spill and city officials said the U.S. Coast Guard is on scene to assess that. Emergency officials said the capacity of the barge is 30,000 gallons and the amount that leaked was unknown.
The leak caused the closure of a section of the Intracoastal Waterway from Mile Marker 350.5 to Mile Marker 357 — approximately 6.5 miles.
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Pelican Island is home to Texas A&M University at Galveston.
University officials are assessing the impact on campus.
University officials said Captain’s Landing was open and available for dining needs for those stuck on Pelican Island.
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