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Bridge closed after barge accident
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Ironton-Russell Bridge on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Ironton. Pictured is the current bridge that new bridge will be replacing.
Purchase this photoIRONTON -- The Ironton-Russell Bridge is closed until further notice after being struck by a barge about 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
An inspector is expected to come out Monday, Dec. 31, to examine the bridge stretching over the Ohio River between Ohio and Kentucky. It will remain closed at least until that time and perhaps longer, according to the Greenup County (Ky.) 911 Dispatch.
The Ironton, Ohio, and Russell, Ky., police departments closed the bridge immediately after the accident, which involved a barge owned by Superior Marine, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The Ohio Department of Transportation has since put up barricades to deter motorists.
The barge was cleared to leave the scene by a member of the U.S. Coast Guard out of Huntington, according to a report provided to Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Development of the new $81 million bridge under construction was not affected by the accident. It involved the 90-year-old bridge only.
