Two Dozen Runaway Barges Force Bridge Closures in Pittsburgh

On Saturday, a large-scale barge breakaway forced the temporary closure of two bridges on the Ohio River. The bridges were undamaged and reopened shortly after, authorities said. 

The Pittsburgh area experienced an unusually heavy rainfall event on Friday night, lifting the Ohio River and creating stronger currents. 26 barges broke away from a fleeting area and drifted downstream, damaging two marinas and piling up against the Emsworth Lock and Dam. 

Pittsburgh’s West End Bridge was closed to traffic as a precaution, and the Brunot Island rail bridge was temporarily taken out of service. Both have reopened, according to barge operator Campbell Transportation. 

One private small-boat marina was hit and sustained “extensive damage,” according to local authorities. A second marina was also hit and lost about 90 boat slips, according to the Pittsburgh Trib. 

Read more at The Maritime Executive.