26 Barges Break Loose On Ohio River, Forcing Temporary Closure Of Two Bridges

Over two dozen river barges reportedly broke loose from the moorings and were floated down the Ohio River based in Pittsburgh, striking a preemptively closed bridge.

Officials declared that the boats were eventually pinned to the river bank or sent over a dam downstream.

Pittsburgh police, fire, and emergency medical services responded at around 11:25 p.m. on Friday to reports of barges floating uncontrolled down the river, informed Pittsburgh Public Safety through a statement.

The region had been hit by flooding following heavy rains on Thursday.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, a barge struck the Sewickley Bridge just a few minutes before 2 p.m. on Saturday.

A spokesperson named Steve Cowan mentioned that it was also closed before the strike and will remain closed until the crews complete their inspection.

The officials in Moon Township, which is linked by the bridge to the community of Sewickley, earlier said that the span would be closed temporarily owing to an unmanned barge passing through.

11 of the 26 barges that broke free were soon enough contained to one side by yet another towing vessel downstream, said commander Justin Jolley, associated with the Coast Guard’s safety unit based in Pittsburgh.

Nine others had been accumulated at Emsworth lock and the dam downstream.

Five to six barges went right through the dam. Four turned out downstream at a lock and dam, while one reached the bank of the river and had to be stabilized.

Marine safety units had been looking for one barge that is still unaccounted for, Jolley reported. Pittsburg safety officials reported damages to Peggy’s Harbour, a marina on the river.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette informed that the McKees Rocks Bridge had been closed as a precautionary measure but was reopened following inspection.

According to Jolley, the owner, about 23 barges were loaded with dry cargo, mainly coal, and at least one was loaded with fertilizer. Three are known to be empty.

The city declared that there were no hazardous materials on these vessels.

The Coast Guard has also announced a broadcast to the mariners to inform them of the probable hazard. Still, high water was deterring traffic on the river, Jolley stated.

According to the city’s statement, Campbell Transportation Co. operated or owned the barges.

Jolley said the Coast Guard officials had been working on a salvage scheme with the owner. Pennsylvania State Police, along with other agencies too, were alerted.

The vulnerability of bridges to strikes from vessels and barges came into stark relief when a container vessel slammed into support of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, collapsing the span and leading to the deaths or presumptive deaths of the six road workers.

Reference: carolinacoastonline, kxlh

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