Bridge Has Total Failure, Collapses Right Before Biden Is Scheduled to Tout His Infrastructure Victory
A bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh on Friday morning — the very same day President Joe Biden was scheduled to visit the city and tout his new infrastructure law.
According to WTAE-TV, the Fern Hollow Bridge near Frick Park suddenly fell apart early Friday morning. Photos shared on Twitter showed the devastating scene.
— Pittsburgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) January 28, 2022
BREAKING: A bridge along Forbes Avenue near Frick Park has collapsed. (?: Jeremy Habowski) https://t.co/tBmXgKOsnM pic.twitter.com/QebLGfSRa9
— KDKA (@KDKA) January 28, 2022
Photos shared by @ACE_Fitzgerald of the Forbes Ave bridge collapse. #WPXI #PGH #PITTSBURGH pic.twitter.com/EDyVxfdYl4
— Tony Ruffolo (@WPXITonyRuffolo) January 28, 2022
A Port Authority bus carrying two passengers and a driver was involved in the collapse, WTAE reported. The passengers were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Pittsburgh Public Safety officials told WTAE there were 10 injuries as a result of the collapse, but none of them were life-threatening.
The Forbes Ave bridge over #frickpark in #pittsburgh collapsed at about 6am. Several vehicles and a bus on the bridge. No injuries reported yet. Strong smell of natural gas. Avoid the area #pittsburghbridgecollapse pic.twitter.com/ykkE4YjiiX
— Greg Barnhisel (@gbarnhisel) January 28, 2022
According to Fox News, first responders rappelled almost 150 feet to rescue passengers from the bus, which was dangling from the collapsed bridge. A human chain had to be formed to help some of the rescuers.
In addition, a “major gas leak” at the scene caused nearby homes to be evacuated due to a strong odor, WTAE reported. In an update on Twitter about an hour after the collapse, Pittsburgh Public Safety announced the gas line had been cut.
UPDATE 2:
Gas line has been cut. Updates on injuries will be provided once PIO is on scene.
Red Cross has been contacted for victim assistance. https://t.co/MPLY9oXOcv— Pittsburgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) January 28, 2022
In a statement on Twitter, White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed Biden would still proceed with his speech despite the tragedy.
“@POTUS has been told of the bridge collapse in Pittsburgh,” the statement read.
“Our team is in touch with state and local officials on the ground as they continue to gather information about the cause of the collapse.”
“@POTUS is grateful to the first responders who rushed to assist the drivers who were on the bridge at the time. The President will proceed with trip planned for today and will stay in touch with officials on the ground about additional assistance we can provide.”
@POTUS is grateful to the first responders who rushed to assist the drivers who were on the bridge at the time. The President will proceed with trip planned for today and will stay in touch with officials on the ground about additional assistance we can provide.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) January 28, 2022
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Democrats in Western Pennsylvania have been celebrating an upcoming $1.6 billion investment into the state’s bridges. In the next year, the state plans to invest $327 million it will receive from Biden’s infrastructure law into bridges.
It remains to be seen whether the president will attempt to use the collapse to bolster his infrastructure plan during Friday’s speech.
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