Galveston Causeway - Galveston, Texas
Posted by: Groundspeak Charter Member BruceS
N 29° 17.744 W 094° 53.180
15R E 316779 N 3242227
Bridge spanning Galveston Bay from Galveston Island to Virginia Point.
Waymark Code: WM8BWM
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 03/08/2010
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member Math Teacher
Views: 10

The original causeway was built beginning in July 1909 and completed in May 1912. The causeway was built to accommodate both automobiles and rail traffic. Prior to the 1900 hurricane access to Galveston Island was via a 1893 wood wagon bridge and various railroad bridges, all of which were damaged or destroyed by the hurricane. The Texas Railroad Commission ordered the railroads to built a fireproof bridge spanning the bay and some public funding was provided. The causeway has twenty eight 70-foot-long reinforced-concrete arches and rises 17 above the water. The causeway has a drawbridge in the middle to allow boats to pass. It was constructed with two railroad tracks and a 19 foot wide road. As automobile and truck traffic increased more lanes were needed and beginning in 1935 separate span for cars and trucks was constructed which was completed in 1938 and since that time the original causeway was used for only rail traffic.

The coordinates are on the new road causeway on the northbound lane where the wide shoulder allows a good view of the old causeway, the approaches to the old causeway are railroad property and are posted no trespassing.
Street address:
Spans Galveston Bay from Virginia Point to Galveston Island
Galveston, Texas


County / Borough / Parish: Galveston

Year listed: 1976

Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering

Periods of significance: 1900-1924

Historic function: Transportation - Rail-Related, Road-Related

Current function: Transportation - Rail-Related

Privately owned?: yes

Primary Web Site: [Web Link]

Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]

Season start / Season finish: Not listed

Hours of operation: Not listed

Secondary Website 2: Not listed

National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.
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