Homestead, Rankin bridges reopen as crews clear barges
About 15 barges filled with coal broke loose Thursday afternoon on the Monongahela River, prompting officials to shut down the Rankin and Homestead Grays bridges during the height of rush-hour traffic.
Both bridges had reopened about 8:20 p.m., Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs said.
The barges belonged to Gulf Materials of Braddock and began floating down the Monongahela River after breaking loose around mile marker 10, Downs said.
At least two of the barges sank, and Department of Environmental Protection officials are standing by to ensure the spills get cleared properly. They did not anticipate any safety or environmental hazards.
"Coal does not pose an imminent threat to downstream water or aquatic life," said Downs, "but DEP will continue to monitor the situation as cleanup begins."
Tugs and other watercraft responded to calls from the Army Corps of Engineer and Coast Guard to assist in the corraling and recovery of the barges. The owner also assisted with tugs secured just above the Homestead Grays Bridge.
Officials first spotted the runaway barges around 4 p.m. near the Rankin Bridge in Rankin.
By 6 p.m., at least two barges had sunk, three struck the Rankin Bridge and four were moving down the river toward the Homestead Grays Bridge, officials said.
As a precautionary measure, Homestead and Pittsburgh police decided to close the Homestead Grays Bridge, also known as the High Level Bridge, to vehicles, an Allegheny County 911 shift commander said shortly after 5 p.m. The highly traveled bridge links Homestead with southern Squirrel Hill and is the primary way in and out of the The Waterfront outdoor shopping mall4
Rankin police closed the Rankin Bridge, then escorted inspectors who examined the bridge's structural integrity following the barges' impacts.
Rankin: Reports of 15 barges loaded with coal that have broken loose on Monongahela River. 3 struck the Rankin Bridge and 4 headed toward Homestead Grays (High Level) Bridge, which has been closed to traffic. Responders are at the scene.
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) May 24, 2018
Fully loaded barges can weigh as much as 1,700 tons — or 3.4 million pounds.
In January, 27 barges crashed into the Emsworth Locks and Dam and more than 60 others broke loose on local waterways, though officials have described the resulting damage as minimal.
Natasha Lindstrom is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-380-8514, nlindstrom@tribweb.com or via Twitter @NewsNatasha.
