Identity & Community

Fire On Liberty Bridge Thwarting Early Holiday River And Road Traffic

90.5 WESA | By Margaret J. Krauss

Published September 2, 2016 at 1:41 PM EDT

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Fire trucks arrived to the Liberty Bridge where workers were replacing the deck. As they torched the beams, sparks fell onto plastic piping below and caught fire.

Margaret J. Krauss / 90.5 WESA

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Smoke from the fire enveloped S. 2nd Street and the riverfront.

Margaret J. Krauss / 90.5 WESA

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Thick, black smoke billowed from plastic tubing that caught on fire during the Liberty Bridge deck replacement.

Margaret J. Krauss / 90.5 WESA

Smoke enveloped the Liberty Bridge this afternoon after sparks fell onto plastic piping below and caught fire. Workers were torching beams to replace the bridge deck, says Scott Fennell, a laborer with Joseph B. Fay Company. There were no injuries, but Fennell said the incident would cost them time.

The final phase of the bridge deck replacement began August 29 as part of the $80.8 million Liberty Bridge Rehabilitation Project.

Traffic has been suspended in both directions, including drivers just through the Liberty Tunnel. First responders are still on scene.