Miami River reopened after barge refloated

The U.S. Coast Guard said the Miami River reopened Thursday following a barge accident that had closed the river since Saturday.

The 195-foot barge carrying sand had reportedly buckled between the Dolphin Expressway Bridge and the N.W. 12th Avenue Bridge while being loaded during a dredging operation.

Restrictions on vessels entering and departing the river were immediately placed as crews attempted to secure and remove the barge.

The barge was refloated at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday and towed to Ferrous Processing and Metal Trading Recycling in the Miami River.

As of 8 a.m. Thursday, 13 commercial vessels had been awaiting permission to transit through the Miami River.

The Coast Guard is still investigating the cause of the accident. 

Source: American Shipper