[[{“value”:”A huge barge collided with a bridge over the Arkansas River in Oklahoma, halting traffic on a major thoroughfare.
Following the collision, authorities partially closed the bridge on Saturday.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s engineers carried out an inspection, and it turned out that the bridge pillars had some minor damage, but nothing serious or significant. Around two hours afterward, they decided that the bridge was safe to reopen. Luckily, no one was injured, only the barge sustained heavy damage to the back”, Rawsalerts wrote.
After their earlier this evening collision, the bridge pillars and the barge’s front are both in danger of being damaged. The bridge was briefly closed, but it has since been reopened,” according to an update.
#UPDATE: Following their earlier this evening collision, photos show the damage to the bridge pillars and the barge’s front. The bridge was briefly closed, but it has since been reopened. pic. twitter.com/43uK7Myxrt
— R A W S A L E R T S ( @rawsalerts ) March 30, 2024
Fox News reports:
The barge rammed into the bridge close to the Kerr Lock &, Dam on Saturday afternoon, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Around 1:25 p.m. after receiving word of the incident, police closed South U.S. Highway 59 and diverted traffic from the area, according to state patrol spokesman Sarah Stewart.
According to Stewart, neither the highway nor the barge had any reports of injuries.
What caused the barge to hit the bridge was unknown at the time.
” US- 59 is then OPEN at the Arkansas River, north of Sallisaw near the Sequoyah/LeFlore County line after a barge hit the bridge. According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, engineers examined the structure and determined that it was safe to reopen it.
SEQUOYAH/LEFLORE COs: US- 59 is then OPEN at the Arkansas River, north of Sallisaw near the Sequoyah/LeFlore County line after a barge hit the bridge. Engineers examined the structure and determined that it was safe to reopen it. https ://t.co/v4ayzF7laY
— Oklahoma Department of Transportation ( @OKDOT ) March 30, 2024
Oklahoma highway reopens following shutdown after a barge hit a bridge https ://t.co/tKRPSyhF3M
— The Associated Press ( @AP ) April 1, 2024
From the Associated Press:
Around 4 p.m., the highway reopened to traffic.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation stated in an email that “engineers inspected the structure and found it secure to reopen.”
A highway patrol spokesperson did not respond to an email seeking comment on whether it was discovered what caused the barge to hit the bridge.
A section of twisted steel was being lifted from the crumbling Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland on Saturday as engineers began to work on it after a large cargo ship slammed into one of its main supports.”}]] [[{“value”:”
A large barge collided into a bridge across the Arkansas River, Oklahoma, stopping traffic on a major highway.
After the collision, authorities temporarily closed the bridge Saturday.
“Engineers with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation performed an inspection and found some damage to the bridge pillars, but nothing major or severe. Two hours later, the engineers determined that the bridge was safe to open. Fortunately, there were no injuries; only the barge suffered heavy damage at the front,” Rawsalerts reported.
Photos show the damage done to the bridge pillars as well as the front of the barge following their collision earlier in the evening. An update stated that the bridge had been temporarily closed but has since reopened.
#UPDATE: Photos of the damage done to the bridge pillars after the collision with the barge earlier this evening. The bridge was temporarily closed but has now been reopened. pic.twitter.com/43uK7Myxrt
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 30, 2024
Fox News:
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol the barge rammed the bridge near Kerr Lock & Dam Saturday.
State patrol spokesperson Sarah Stewart confirmed that troopers closed South U.S. Highway 59 at 1:25 p.m., after receiving information about the incident. They also diverted traffic away from the area.
Stewart said that there were no injuries reported on the highway or barge.
It was not immediately clear what caused the barge’s collision with the bridge.
“US-59 has reopened at the Arkansas River south of Sallisaw, near the Sequoyah/LeFlore County border after a barge struck the bridge. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation announced that engineers inspected the bridge and determined it was safe to reopen.
SEQUOYAH/LEFLORE Counties: US-59 at the Arkansas River is now OPEN south of Sallisaw, near the Sequoyah/LeFlore County Line after a barge struck the bridge. Engineers inspected and determined that the bridge was safe to reopen. https://t.co/v4ayzF7laY
Oklahoma Department of Transportation @OKDOT March 30, 2024
Oklahoma highway reopens following shutdown after a barge hit a bridge https://t.co/tKRPSyhF3M
The Associated Press April 1, 2024
The Associated Press:
Around 4 p.m., the highway was reopened for traffic.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation stated in an email that “engineers inspected the structural and found it safe for reopening.”
A spokesperson for the Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to an email asking if officials had determined what caused the barge and bridge to collide.
Engineers began lifting a section of twisted metal from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, Maryland. The bridge had crumpled and fallen into the Patapsco River when a cargo ship crashed into its main support.
“}]]
