A barge collision with the Pelican Island Causeway in Galveston, Texas, has resulted in bridge damage, road closures, and an oil spill.
The incident occurred around 10 a.m. local time with no reported injuries. Video footage shows part of the train trestle on the bridge collapsing.
According to Richard Freed, the vice president of Martin Midstream Partners L.P.’s marine division, the ship broke loose from its tow and struck the bridge.
The vessel is owned by Martin Operating Partnership L.P., a subsidiary of Martin Midstream Partners.
Emergency response teams including Galveston officials, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Texas Department of Transportation are on site.
The collision caused a spill of vacuum gas oil, leading to a closure of approximately 6 1/2 miles of the intracoastal waterway.
The barge, with a capacity of about 30,000 gallons, leaked a limited amount of oil into the waterway, although there is currently no ongoing leakage.
The collision also caused a brief power outage on Pelican Island, which has since been restored.
The National Transportation Safety Board Chair, Jennifer Homendy, emphasized the importance of timely safety reviews for bridges following this incident.
Engineers from the Texas Department of Transportation will assess the damage to the bridge, which will remain closed until deemed safe for use.
The barge remains at the scene, and efforts are underway by Martin Midstream Partners to remove it with the help of a salvage company.
This incident follows a similar bridge collapse in Baltimore almost seven weeks ago, underscoring the need for stringent safety measures in bridge management.
