Galveston Causeway

The Galveston Causeway is a railway bridge that crosses Galveston Bay and features a vertical lift mechanism. This mechanism can raise up to 80 feet to allow ships to pass underneath the structure.

The original bridge was completed in 1912 by the Penn Bridge Company and initially served both trains and cars. In 1939, a separate vehicle route opened, changing how the bridge was used.

The causeway became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, marking its importance to Galveston's identity as a major port city. You can see how this structure continues to define the connection between the island and mainland in the city's landscape.

Visitors should know that ships seeking passage must communicate with operators via VHF Channel 16. Operators may switch to Channel 9 for additional instructions.

Building the causeway required special concrete delivery methods using barges and pump trucks. This was necessary because the existing structure could not support the full weight.

Location: Galveston

Location: Galveston County

Official opening: 1912

Address: Spans Galveston Bay from Virginia Point to Galveston Island

GPS coordinates: 29.29579,-94.88613

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:55