Interstate 676 in Philadelphia is shut down after a barge broke loose on the flooded Schuylkill River during Tropical Storm Isaias on Tuesday.
The barge became dislodged from its mooring Tuesday afternoon after Tropical Storm Isaias pounded the Philadelphia region with heavy rains, causing the Schulykill River to rise significantly and, in some places, overflow its banks.
The barge broke loose around 5 p.m. and hit the Vine Street Expressway bridge over the river.
PennDOT earlier said it was possible part of 676 could reopen Wednesday, but later said all lanes will remain closed until at least Thursday afternoon.
The barge was being used by the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge portions of the Schuylkill River above the Fairmount Dam.
I-676 is closed in both directions from I-76 to Broad Street until further notice. The highway likely will remain closed until the barge is removed from the area, PennDOT spokesperson Brad Rudolph said Wednesday.
The Army Corp of Engineers was dredging near the Philadelphia Museum of Art when a crane barge and two connected hopper barges became loose and floated downstream, lodging itself under the bridge, Rudolph said.
You can read: Isaias hits the Philadelphia region with severe damage
In order to remove the barge, crews have to wait for the water to recede, which may not happen until Thursday, PennDOT said. It likely will be towed with a tugboat.
SEPTA suspended all Regional Rail lines late Tuesday night out of an abundance of caution. The barge is located upstream from a rail bridge near 30th Street Station.
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