A barge collision with a bridge on the Texas coast on 15th May prompted the closure of the sole roadway to a small island near Galveston, as confirmed by city officials, Reuters highlights.
The incident, occurred around 10 a.m., causing no reported injuries. The Pelican Island Bridge, impacted by the collision, remained intact despite a portion of the adjacent railway collapsing onto the barge.
According to the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management, there was visual confirmation of vacuum gas oil from the barge in the water, with the barge having a total capacity of 30,000 gallons, though the quantity leaked remains unknown.
The Office of Emergency Management further stated that approximately 6.5 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway has been closed to water traffic due to the spill.
The City of Galveston, in response to the incident, confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard is managing the spill’s assessment, containment, and cleanup efforts. An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
As informed, engineers from the Texas Department of Transportation are en route to inspect the bridge, which will remain closed until deemed safe for use, as per the city’s statement.
This incident comes amid heightened concerns about bridge safety following a fatal collision involving a cargo ship and Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.
