Galveston council hears update as TxDOT advances environmental clearance for Pelican Island bridge

Deputy City Manager Dan Buckley told the City of Galveston City Council on April 24 that the Texas Department of Transportation is advancing environmental clearance, detailed design and permitting for the Pelican Island Bridge project. "TxDOT continues to advance their efforts toward environmental clearance, detailed design, and, environmental construction permits," Buckley said during the workshop update.

The update outlined ongoing local coordination among the city, Galveston County, the Port of Galveston and other stakeholders. Buckley said the city is working on local agreements for right‑of‑way and funding with other local participants and that the county needs the city’s approval before placing the matter on the commissioners court agenda. "The county is on the agenda today. The county needs the city to approve it first, and then they'll put it on the next commissioner's court meeting," Buckley said.

Buckley described discussions with Texas A&M about conveying a portion of the existing Seawolf Parkway right‑of‑way: Texas A&M will buy the roadway in advance and an agreement is under negotiation about maintenance responsibilities and access for the city. He said the city would maintain the roadway until project completion and that the parties are negotiating language about long‑term maintenance and responsibilities.

Council members and staff discussed the project’s classification as an on‑system versus off‑system bridge — a designation that affects funding and which TxDOT funding streams pay for construction and future maintenance. Council member discussion emphasized the potential to make the bridge an on‑system project by locating its start at Highway 275 (a state highway) rather than at Port Industrial; such a designation could change which state funding and maintenance programs apply. Buckley and council members also described an MPO working group and continuing negotiations with the Port of Galveston and Port of Houston over technical and legal comments.

Councilmembers asked for more concrete milestone dates. Buckley said he receives schedule updates from TxDOT and offered to provide the council with TxDOT’s schedule and milestone updates at future meetings. "I get updates from TxDOT before I come each meeting," he said.

No formal action or vote was taken at the workshop. Councilmembers indicated they expect continued interagency negotiations and that local funding commitments and right‑of‑way agreements will be required before final execution of certain contracts.

The city will continue providing updates to the council as agreements with TxDOT, the MPO, Texas A&M and port entities evolve; councilmembers asked staff to bring milestone dates and schedule updates to future meetings so the public and council can track major decision points and funding commitments.