Philadelphia interstate shut down following barge strike
A Philadelphia interstate has been shut down after a barge broke loose and struck a bridge.
According to WPVI, the barge broke loose last night at approximately 5:00 pm. It floated down the flooded Schuylkill River during Tropical Storm Isaias on Tuesday and struck the Interstate 676 bridge.
Interstate 676 Remains Closed in Philadelphia Due to Contact with Barge at Bridge over Schuylkill Riverhttps://t.co/YZf7H5p0k5 pic.twitter.com/GPUsu2vCFu
— 511PA Philadelphia (@511PAPhilly) August 5, 2020
Bridge inspectors are on the scene to look for any structural damages.
PennDOT announced that the bridge and parts of I-676 would remain closed though Thursday afternoon, when the floodwaters are expected to recede.
#BREAKING I-676 in Philadelphia to be closed until at least Thursday afternoon after barge hits bridgehttps://t.co/2krSEu8xZh
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) August 5, 2020
PennDOT recommends drivers use the following detours:
-Motorists heading to New Jersey: Take I-76 East to the Walt Whitman Bridge;
-I-76 motorists heading to Center City: Exit at the Spring Garden Street or South Street interchanges;
-I-95 South motorists: Travel to Exit 19 and follow Front Street to Pattison Avenue to Broad Street to the I-76 West entrance ramp; and
-I-95 North traffic: Follow I-95 North to I-76 West.
What is that ? People keep asking what is that massive thing in The Schuylkill stuck against the 676 Bridge. PENNDOT engineers will determine today if a loose barge caused any damage to the bridge until then major traffic impacts … @6abc pic.twitter.com/vDMUjrk5gg
— Annie McCormick (@6abcAnnie) August 5, 2020
US Army Corps of Engineers says barges were being used as part of project to dredge portions of the Schuylkill above the Fairmount Dam. When water drops, a tugboat will likely be used to free barges. pic.twitter.com/x591JjXmnr
— Katherine Scott (@KScott6abc) August 5, 2020