Written by Krista Madsen
Two barges positioned for the Tappan Zee Bridge build reportedly broke free from their moorings during strong overnight winds of the recent snowstorm and drifted miles downriver.
LoHud.com reported on the barge travels, saying that one made it 13-miles south before a witness in the Bronx called it into 911, while the second got as far as Ardsley.
This is the second free-floating barge incident, with one bridge barge getting a mile away in September, 2013. More on this in above video and article from CBS News here.
Bridge spokesperson Brian Conybeare told LoHud.com it was best to call 911 if you see a barge on the loose. Next best would be calling the project hotline at 855-TZBRIDGE (892-7434).
The NYC Fire Department sent a boat to the errant barge and it was reportedly pulled back in place hours later.
Officials are considering rigging the barges with GPS to alert workers if this happens again.
In July, a fixed barge proved fatal when a speedboat cutting across the river from Piermont to Tarrytown collided with one in the night. A bride-to-be and her groom's best man died and the driver has been indicted on vehicular manslaughter among numerous other charges. More on this here.
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