Crews Remove Barges From Under Vine Street Expressway Bridge, I-676 Reopened
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) - Tugboats have hauled away the barges that broke loose during Tropical Storm Isaias and lodged itself under the Vine Street Expressway Bridge. Three tugboats and one crew boat were brought in Thursday morning to remove the barges.
Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-676 have reopened.
I-676 BARGE REMOVALWATCH LIVE: Crews begin the removal of barges at the Vine Street Expressway Bridge. The removal is expected to take several hours. Once the barges are dislodged and towed back upstream, officials say I-676 can be reopened in both directions. MORE: https://cbsloc.al/33xGbbV
Posted by CBS Philly on Thursday, August 6, 2020
The Army Corps of Engineers was using the barge to dredge the Schuylkill River when it came loose in the rain-swollen river during Isaias on Tuesday.
Inspectors have not found any serious structural damage to the span, transportation officials said. A bracket that was bent will need to be replaced after the barge is freed but that was not threatening the bridge. Those repairs will be made at a later date.
SEPTA resumed commuter rail service that was suspended as a precaution when the barge hit the bridge.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)