No Charges in West Virginia Barge-Bridge Accident

The U.S. Coast Guard says higher than normal water levels caused a barge to break free of its moorings and hit the Star City Bridge.

The Coast Guard tells The Dominion Post that no charges will be filed against the barge’s owner, CONSOL Energy, or Greer Limestone, which leases the barge.

The barge hit the bridge’s base around 7 p.m. Tuesday. The bridge in Monongalia County was closed for about four hours while the Coast Guard and the state Division of Highways checked it for damage.

Greer Limestone’s lawyer, Robert Gwynne, says the company is thankful that damage to the bridge was minor. He says the company is taking steps to avoid such incidents in the future.

The bridge carries U.S. 19 across the Monongahela River.