Galveston bridge closes after barge slams into span causing partial collapse

A Texas bridge was struck by a cargo ship on Wednesday morning, bringing traffic to and from a small residential island to a standstill as officials work to determine whether the structure is safe from collapse.

The incident happened around 10am on Wednesday, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. The strike caused a piece of a a railway line attached to the Pelican Island Causeway to fall into the water but the bridge appears to be intact.

According to KPRC, the incident resulted in an oil spill and the bridge to be closed to traffic in both directions. Part of the railway line could be seen on top of the barge. The US Coast Guard has been called to the scene. The bridge is the only way in and out of Pelican Island, which is home to a Texas A&M University at Galveston campus.

This is a developing story…