Galveston’s Only Bridge to Pelican Island Faces Rising Costs, Long Timeline

The cost to replace the deteriorating Pelican Island Bridge has escalated to a minimum of $250 million, presenting fresh hurdles for Galveston officials who are already facing difficulties in financing the long-anticipated project.

The Galveston County Daily News reports that the most recent estimate shows a significant rise of 63 percent from the previously projected $115 million following the oil barge collision with the bridge in May 2024, which garnered national attention. Only five months prior, the amount was recorded at $180 million.

Constructed in the 1960s, the bridge, commonly referred to as Seawolf Parkway, continues to serve as the sole connection between Galveston and Pelican Island. Authorities have consistently cautioned that it is past due for an upgrade.

During an economic summit on Wednesday, city leaders recognized that funding continues to be uncertain. Local partners have pledged approximately $36 million; however, Galveston City Manager Brian Maxwell indicated that no further contributions from the city have been confirmed.

“At this moment, there are numerous uncertainties regarding finances,” Maxwell stated.

According to TXDOT spokesman Danny Perez, the Texas Department of Transportation has yet to decide on the amount it will contribute. In the face of funding challenges, the agency remains committed to the design of the new bridge, aiming to finalize the plans by next summer, contingent upon the results of an environmental study. Construction is projected to start in 2028, indicating that a new bridge may still be at least five years off.

The increasing expenses have sparked renewed attention to a different option: constructing a land bridge to Pelican Island. Initially introduced in 2018, the idea is once more capturing the attention of business and port leaders. Advocates argue that the project would enable a rail connection to the island, which hosts Texas A&M University at Galveston, Seawolf Park, and multiple shipyards.

“Our goal is to establish rail service to Pelican Island,” stated Josh Owens, executive director of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership. “The transition from sea to rail represents the pinnacle of transportation efficiency, and that’s our primary focus.”

Observers point out, nonetheless, that the concept had been put on hold earlier because of anticipated pushback from the Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Pelican Island is increasingly in the spotlight as Canadian shipbuilder Davie unveils a $1 billion initiative to transform the Gulf Copper shipyard into a hub for icebreaker manufacturing. The facility is set to include six assembly bays and two shiplifts, in line with the U.S. The U.S. Coast Guard has made a substantial $3.5 billion investment in new Arctic icebreakers aas part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.