Viral images are circulating of a bridge collapse outside of Pittsburgh, just before President Joe Biden is slated to visit the city.
Greg Barnhisel, a professor at Duquesne University, first posted images of the collapsed bridge over Frick Park in Point Breeze. He said several vehicles were still on the bridge after the collapse.
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
It was later reported that 10 people were injured due to the failure in infrastructure. Three people required hospitalization, but none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
Biden’s Press Secretary Jen Psaki immediately commented on the situation ahead of Biden’s visit.
“[Biden] has been told of the bridge collapse in Pittsburgh. 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,” she said.
@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.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) January 28, 2022
“[Biden 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,” she continued.
“Closely monitoring the situation at Frick Park Bridge in Pittsburgh, and grateful for the first responders on scene. Our Department is in touch with [the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT)] and local authorities to offer our support,” Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said on Twitter, offering his office’s support.
Closely monitoring the situation at Frick Park Bridge in Pittsburgh, and grateful for the first responders on scene. Our Department is in touch with @PennDOTNews and local authorities to offer our support. @USDOT stands ready to assist.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) January 28, 2022
Buttigieg heads the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which did not immediately return a comment request.
Gov. Tom Wolf (D) said his office was “monitoring the situation” and asked citizens to avoid the area.
Biden touted an upgrade to America’s infrastructure during his campaign. After haggling with Congress over an infrastructure bill that could have cost more than $3 trillion to the taxpayer, Congress and the President settled on a $1.2 trillion package, signed into law in mid-November.
That bill reportedly allocates $110 billion to spend fixing roads and bridges.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “Frick Bridge Collapse” by Greg Barnhisel.
