Barge strikes McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge, temporarily closing span

The McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge closed for a couple hours on Friday after strong winds knocked a barge into one of its supports.

Police said the tug boat operator for Towline River Service out of Elizabeth lost control of the barge while he headed south on the Monongahela River just before 2 p.m.

The wind was gusting up to 30 mph in that area at that time, said WPXI chief meteorologist Stephen Cropper.

“All day it’s been windy,” said Duquesne Police Chief Thomas Dunlevy. “We have had trees down, wires down over the past 24 hours all over the Mon Valley.”

PHOTOS: McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge shut down after being struck by barge

Authorities closed the bridge out of precaution. PennDOT inspectors checked it out and reopened the span just before 4 p.m.

Several tugboats were needed to remove the barge, which was empty, in sections.

Guide to Pittsburgh bridges

The U.S. Coast Guard will investigate.

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