On Thursday, a barge struck the Fort Madison Bridge in Iowa and later sank in the Mississippi River. The incident occurred around 1 p.m., leading to the temporary closure of the nearly 100-year-old swing gate bridge, but it was reopened by 4:15 p.m. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that 15 barges being moved by a tug boat were involved, with one becoming loose and colliding with the bridge, causing it to be stuck against the structure. In a separate video, the barge can be seen sinking into the river, away from the bridge, with a boat alongside it.
The incident evokes memories of the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, when a container ship hit the structure, causing it to fall into the harbor and resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. Lee County Sheriff Stacy Weber commented on the Fort Madison incident, acknowledging that it was unfortunate but could have been much worse. The bridge was shut down for BNSF to assess for damage, as it features a double-track railway on the lower deck and two lanes of road traffic on the upper deck. The Fort Madison Police Department confirmed that BNSF Railway certified the bridge as safe before allowing rail and vehicular traffic to resume.
A representative from a barge tow company revealed that the barge involved in the incident was hauling corn and owned by the Ingram Barge Company based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2022, the bridge was crossed by between 40 and 100 trains per day. The structure, which opened in 1927, has a swing span of 525 feet and was the longest and largest double-deck swing-span bridge in the world at the time. This incident occurred not long after a similar event in Pittsburgh, where more than two dozen river barges broke loose and floated down the Ohio River, causing damage to a bridge and a marina before being secured downstream.
The Fort Madison Police Department mentioned online that BNSF Railway had confirmed the safety of the bridge after the incident and had given the green light for traffic to resume. This comes after a recent incident in Pittsburgh where multiple river barges broke loose, causing damage to a bridge and marina before being secured downstream. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with navigation of large vessels in waterways near bridges. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Overall, the incident involving the barge striking the Fort Madison Bridge in Iowa drew attention to the potential risks associated with navigating barges and large vessels near bridge structures. The temporary closure and subsequent reopening of the bridge allowed for assessment of any damage caused by the collision. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries as a result of the incident, highlighting the importance of safety measures in place to prevent harm to individuals. The response by local authorities, bridge owners, and barge companies demonstrates the concerted efforts to ensure the safety of both transportation infrastructure and the public.
