With sunken barge's location confirmed, Ohio, Mon river traffic resumes

Pittsburgh-area river traffic resumed Tuesday with a few restrictions after the barge operator and U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the location of a sunken barge on the Ohio River.

The sunken barge was one of 26 that broke loose during weekend flooding.

Canonsburg-based Campbell Transportation Co. Inc. officials said they used sonar to locate the vessel in the Dashields Pool of the Ohio River.

A safety zone restricting traffic on the river was lifted, the Coast Guard said, but there are two zones where traffic is limited: on the Monongahela just before it joins the Allegheny to form the Ohio and another at mile marker 10.5 on the Ohio River where the barge sunk, according to the Coast Guard.

Five barges were removed from the Emsworth Locks and Dam; two barges remain positioned against the Emsworth Lock and Dam; and one barge is against the Dashields Lock and Dam, according to a statement from Campbell.

One of the loose barges hit the Sewickley Bridge, which was shut down Saturday afternoon as the vessel approached. PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said an inspection revealed no significant damage, and the bridge was reopened to traffic, according to the Associated Press.

Two marinas on Pittsburgh’s North Side — Peggy’s Harbor and Branchport Boat Club — were damaged Friday night as barges destroyed dozens of boat docks.

Related:

• Company believes it found sunken barge in Ohio River near Pittsburgh

• Search for missing barge shuts down section of Ohio River

• Barges break free on Ohio River in Pittsburgh