Barge Collision Causes Major Damage and Oil Spill at Pelican Island Causeway in Texas
Galveston, Texas—On Wednesday morning, a barge collided with the Pelican Island Causeway in Galveston, Texas- in a significant maritime accident. The incident caused severe damage to the bridge and a substantial oil spill. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. local time and has led to the complete closure of the bridge to vehicular traffic, creating substantial disruptions.
The barge, operated by Martin Operating Partnership L.P., a subsidiary of Martin Midstream Partners L.P., broke loose from its tow and drifted into the bridge. The collision caused a section of the bridge, including the train trestle that runs alongside it, to collapse onto the barge. Video footage from CBS affiliate KHOU captured the extensive damage, highlighting the structural impact on the bridge.
Emergency management officials, state authorities, the Galveston police and fire departments, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Texas Department of Transportation quickly responded to the scene. Galveston County Judge Mark Henry confirmed that there were no reported injuries. However, two crew members were thrown overboard during the collision but were rescued promptly.
The collision resulted in a spill of vacuum gas oil, a heavy petroleum product used to produce transportation fuels and other byproducts. With a capacity of 30,000 gallons, the barge leaked an unspecified amount of oil into the waterway. The Galveston Office of Emergency Management visually confirmed the presence of oil in the water, prompting the U.S. Coast Guard to close approximately 6.5 miles of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to manage the spill and initiate containment and cleanup efforts.
Richard Freed, Vice President of Martin Midstream Partners’ marine division, stated that personnel were onsite, and that “a limited amount of product” had spilled. By the time of the announcement, no additional oil was leaking from the barge.
Impact on Local Infrastructure and Community
The Pelican Island Causeway is the sole vehicular link between Pelican Island and the mainland. The bridge’s closure has effectively isolated the island, disrupting the lives of its residents and affecting operations at Texas A&M University at Galveston, located on the island. The university experienced a brief power outage due to the incident, although secondary power has since been restored.
Judge Henry initially allowed evacuations from Pelican Island but had to halt them by 6 p.m. due to the bridge’s instability. Despite the precarious state of the bridge, emergency management reopened it at 8 p.m. exclusively for those exiting the island. Traffic congestion ensued, with residents expressing concerns about future access to the island. Andrea Dunlap, a two-year resident of Pelican Island, voiced her worries: “I’m just hoping that if they do have to shut down the bridge, they’re going to find another option to get us back and forth.”
The incident at Pelican Island follows other recent maritime accidents, highlighting the vulnerabilities of U.S. bridges to barge collisions. Nearly seven weeks ago, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by a container ship, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. The National Transportation Safety Board Chair, Jennifer Homendy, emphasized the need for proactive safety reviews of bridges, particularly those lacking impact protection.
“Don’t wait,” Homendy urged. “If you have such a bridge, look at how that traffic has changed. Make sure you have the right protections in place.”
Vacuum gas oil, the substance spilled during the collision, is hazardous. According to Honeywell, although not involved in this incident, vacuum gas oil is a crucial feedstock for fluid catalytic crackers that produce transportation fuels.
Oil is flammable at high temperatures and poses significant health risks if inhaled, ingested, or in contact with the skin. It can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and, in severe cases, even skin cancer. Residents and environmentalists are also concerned about the spill’s impact on the local ecosystem, including fish and bird populations.
Ongoing Cleanup and Future Precautions
Cleanup efforts are underway, with the U.S. Coast Guard leading the response to contain and mitigate the spill’s environmental impact. Engineers from the Texas Department of Transportation are assessing the bridge’s damage to determine the necessary repairs and ensure its safety before reopening. Martin Midstream Partners has engaged a salvage company to assist in removing the barge from the collision site.
The Pelican Island Causeway, constructed in 1960, is at the end of its functional life. Plans to replace the bridge were already in place, with construction set to begin in the summer of 2025. The new bridge, stretching from SH 275 to Seawolf Parkway, is intended to provide a more robust and safer link between Pelican Island and Galveston. The recent collision may accelerate these plans, as the current bridge’s deterioration and recent damage underscore the urgency for a replacement.
Pelican Island hosts several attractions, including Seawolf Park and the Galveston Naval Museum, and is a hub for port-related industries. The island’s accessibility is crucial for both residents and businesses, emphasizing the need for reliable infrastructure.
The barge collision at the Pelican Island Causeway has highlighted the critical need for updated infrastructure and enhanced safety measures to protect essential links between communities and the mainland. As cleanup efforts continue and plans for a new bridge progress, the incident is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in aging infrastructure and the importance of proactive maintenance and safety reviews. The resilience and swift response of emergency personnel have mitigated immediate dangers, but long-term solutions are imperative to prevent future incidents of this nature.
