Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh officials took immediate action after more than two dozen barges broke loose late Friday, floating uncontrolled down the Ohio River and posing a threat to local infrastructure. The incident led to the closure of several bridges across the city, as city officials scrambled to prevent any potential collisions or further damages.
By 11:30 p.m., emergency responders were alerted to the situation, with 26 barges drifting downstream. Of the barges, three were empty, while the remaining 23 carried cargo like coal, although none were carrying hazardous materials. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries stemming from the barge incident, though Peggy’s Harbor on the northern bank of the Ohio River sustained significant damage.
Numerous bridges were temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, including the West End Bridge near downtown Pittsburgh and a rail bridge leading to Brunot Island. The McKees Rocks Bridge was also briefly shut down before reopening on Saturday morning to ensure the safety of commuters and prevent any potential incidents.
The barge incident comes mere weeks after a cargo vessel near Baltimore collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse. This has raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of bridges across the United States, including those in cities like Pittsburgh, renowned for their iconic bridges spanning various rivers.
As of Saturday morning, efforts were underway to locate the missing barge, with eleven barges secured near Brunot Island by a tugboat, while fourteen others continued downstream. Nine barges went over the Emsworth Dam, located approximately 4 miles from Brunot Island, with four passing the Dashields Dam located a further 7 miles downstream.
Authorities identified the barges as belonging to the Campbell Transportation Company, situated downstream along the Ohio River from the McKees Rocks Bridge. However, attempts to reach the company for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Late Friday night, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Ohio River near Pittsburgh as water levels rose beyond the flood stage, reaching 25 feet by midnight. The cause of the barge incident remains unclear, with the Coast Guard focusing on locating the missing vessel to prevent any potential hazards or environmental damage.