GALVESTON CAUSEWAY RAILROAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT GETS BOOST IN HIGHWAY BILL
GALVESTON , TEXAS, August 15, 2005 – Efforts to replace the hazardous railroad bridge linking Galveston to the mainland got a huge boost as Congress dedicated $15 million for the bridge in the Highway Bill passed last month. “This bridge was declared an unreasonable obstruction to navigation by the Coast Guard in 2001 and we have been working to get federal funding to replace it ever since,” said Raymond Butler, executive director of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA). “We view it as essential that we get this bridge replaced on a similar timetable as the ongoing work to replace the adjacent highway bridges.” Once completed, the highway bridges will have a 310 foot wide opening for barge traffic and other vessels. The present opening for the railroad bridge is only 105 feet, making it difficult and sometimes dangerous for towboats to push their strings of barges through the opening, especially when they have to share it with recreational boaters. Prevailing winds and strong tides further complicate the bridge transit, according to boat captains experienced in pushing barges through the bridge. The new railroad bridge will have an opening similar to the new highway bridges, at least 300 feet wide.
“We are thrilled by the support we have received from our elected officials in Washington. Once we explained to them the public safety concerns and the economic consequences an accident at the bridge would have, they committed to help us solve this problem and they came through.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, with support from Senator John Cornyn, made this one of her priority projects, as did Congressman Ron Paul, in whose district the bridge is located. We also received tremendous help from Congressman Tom DeLay, whose district ends nearby. Congressman Ted Poe helped get language in the Coast Guard Authorization Act authorizing the requested expenditure. Congressmen Chet Edwardsand John Culberson, who serve on the Appropriations Committee, helped get a $2 million appropriation in the House version of the Homeland Security bill that is in addition to the $15 million in the highway bill. The Senate appropriated $3 million in its version of the Homeland Security bill. We hope this bill will be finalized and the additional funds provided by a conference committee when Congress reconvenes in September,” noted Butler.
“We are also grateful for the support we have received from our local officials, including Judge Yarbrough in Galveston and Judge Willey in Brazoria County. Both went on the record strongly in support of this project. We also want to thank local industry, port authorities and the Texas Waterway Operators Association for their work on this project,” said Butler.
According to data maintained by the Corps of Engineers, some 25 million tons of cargo go by barge through the bridge opening each year, with a value of $8 billion. There are numerous accidents at the bridge each year and there have been two fatalities in recent years. It is anticipated that this year’s federal funding will be sufficient to allow construction to commence without delay. Further appropriation will be required in future years to complete the new bridge, which is estimated to cost $40 million.
The Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association is a 100 year old marine industry trade association dedicated to the protection, maintenance, and efficient operation of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
###
For further information, contact:
Raymond Butler, Executive Director
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Association
Ph: 281.996.6915 / Fax: 281.992.4383
E-mail: info@gicaonline.com
Web: www.gicaonline.com
|
