State: High tides from Alex make road impassable

HIGH ISLAND — High tides from Hurricane Alex forced the Wednesday closure of the only highway access into Bolivar Peninsula, but the ferry system remained open.

Storm surge inundated state Highway 87 in low-lying areas east of Rollover Pass to Highway 124, forcing the Texas Department of Public Safety to close the highway at 8:08 a.m.

There was no immediate timetable for reopening the road, troopers said Wednesday.

Texas Department of Transportation crews were waiting to remove debris from the highway as soon as it is passable, engineer Bill Babbington, said.

Troopers reported no accidents associated with the high water.

The Galveston County Emergency Management Office reported no other road closures.

The Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry remained operational despite rough seas and high winds at the convergence of Galveston Bay and the Gulf.

“We have no plans of closing, although it’s all tidal dependent,” Mark Rodriguez, the ferry’s engineering and maintenance supervisor, said.

Surfers along Galveston’s seawall enjoyed long periods void of torrential rain but reported the swift currents and choppy water made for less than ideal surfing conditions.

With Alex expected to make landfall about midnight Wednesday in northern Mexico, city of Galveston officials were expecting a storm-free Independence Day weekend for beachgoers.