Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel lanes reopen after barge hits bridge

Posted to: Traffic - Transportation Eastern Shore
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The Virginian-Pilot
© July 6, 2009

By Ricardo Lopez

VIRGINIA BEACH

Crews have assessed the damage after a barge hit the middle trestle of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel at 6:20 this morning, said spokeswoman Debbie Cooley.

The structure suffered only minor damage, Cooley said. Earlier reports indicated two barges hit the bridge-tunnel.

All lanes in the bridge-tunnel have reopened, said spokeswoman Debbie Cooley. Earlier closures resulted in 30-minute delays and 2.5 mile back up on northbound and southbound lanes.

The bridge-tunnel connects Virginia's Eastern Shore with the mainland at Virginia Beach.

No injuries were reported.

Ricardo Lopez, (757) 222-5125, ricardo.lopez@pilotonline.com

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Pilot Falters on Barge Accident Reporting

Submitted by robertp43220 on Tue, 07/07/2009 at 8:32 am.

This is a prime example of why local papers are going under. Here we have a significant news story that could go in many directions, i.e., what if the barge severed the bridge, story on work the barges were doing, damage to barges, story about the "minor" damage, what considerable damage could have occurred, possible terrorist threat, etc., etc. but this article was not even posted in today’s paper and very sketchy at best in the above online piece. When we have to go on-line to get “important news” the printed paper goes under water. The Pilot should have had on the scene pictures, interviews, etc. even if the incident was minor. Pilot – get with it!! My Pilot love hate relationship is listing away from love.

two barges

Submitted by baseball14 on Mon, 07/06/2009 at 7:16 pm.

this story is horribly written. So many details not followed up on. This story states earlier reports were two barges hit the bridge. How did this go from 2 to one? Was it the Pilot that screwed up the story the first time or was it our great VDOT let this out. Its hard to screw that one up. You drive out and see either one huge barge or two! Also either this was a barge that broke free or Precon marine doing the work on the brigde off there barge that hit. Wish we could get a good story once and a while, this is why i quit getting the pilot, not worth the 10 bucks a month.