On Saturday, a bridge over the Arkansas River in Oklahoma had to be temporarily closed due to a barge colliding with it. This incident occurred just days after a similar tragic collision took place in Maryland.
According to spokesperson Sarah Stewart, state patrol troopers took action and closed US Highway 59 at around 1:25 pm in response to the incident. They also redirected traffic away from the affected area.
The bridge over the Arkansas River, where it meets the Robert S Kerr Reservoir, underwent inspection and was reopened to traffic at around 4 pm.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reassured that engineers had thoroughly examined the structure and confirmed its safety for reopening.
No injuries were reported on the highway or the barge, and the cause of the collision is still unknown.
As engineers in Baltimore commence the arduous task of extracting sections of the Francis Scott Key Bridge from the Patapsco River, an incident occurred.
Four construction workers are still missing and presumed dead after the cargo ship, Dali, collided with the bridge in the early hours of Tuesday.
Rescue and salvage teams are currently engaged in the efforts to recover and salvage the situation, despite the suspension of search missions for the remaining bodies due to the hazardous conditions.
Enormous cranes have been brought to Baltimore over the past few days to assist in clearing the wreckage. Officials emphasize that this is a crucial step in the recovery process, as it will aid in the search for the missing construction workers and the eventual reopening of the port.
The Chesapeake 1000 crane, known for its impressive ability to lift 1,000 tonnes, will face a significant challenge when it comes to the bridge. With an estimated weight that is three to four times heavier than its lifting capacity, the bridge will need to be divided into manageable sections.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced on Saturday that the search operations to locate the bodies of the missing workers will recommence once the conditions improve.
