Traffic on the Pomeroy-Mason Bridge, the cable-stayed span linking Pomeroy, Ohio, and Mason, West Virginia, came to an abrupt stop Friday after a barge struck the structure earlier in the afternoon. Local deputies and transportation officials reported the hit and said crews were on scene assessing potential damage. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and prepare for detours while inspectors evaluate the bridge.
Inspection Will Decide When Traffic Can Return
The West Virginia Department of Transportation said the crossing "will remain closed until our bridge inspectors, in coordination with ODOT, can complete a full structural assessment and determine the best course of action," according to Spectrum News 1. The Ohio Department of Transportation Southeastern Ohio District 10 noted in a Facebook post that the bridge is closed to all traffic and that it will provide updates as they become available, urging motorists to seek alternate routes and allow extra travel time, according to the agency.
Runaway Barges And River Response
Local deputies and state crews reported that barges broke loose after the strike. WSAZ reported deputies saying seven coal barges had broken free and that the U.S. Coast Guard was notified. The West Virginia Division of Highways said first responders were ready to close nearby crossings to allow the barges to pass while emergency teams kept an eye on river traffic and bridge supports.
Traffic Impacts And Detours
The state travel site WV511 flagged the incident as a bridge hit on WV-833 (Pomeroy-Mason Bridge) and warned of possible delays in the area. Local reporting highlighted detours pushing traffic to larger river crossings such as US-35 while the bridge remains shut. Motorists are being asked to follow posted detours and build in extra time for their trips, according to WV 511 and coverage from WDTV.
Why Engineers Are Playing It Safe
Collisions with river traffic can damage piers or foundations in ways that are not obvious from the roadway, so engineers carry out detailed checks before they let vehicles back on a span. Authorities point to past vessel-strike incidents that led to long shutdowns and major rebuilds. The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse highlighted how a vessel collision can trigger catastrophic failure, which helps explain the cautious posture from state crews, according to the NTSB. The Pomeroy-Mason Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Honor, is a cable-stayed crossing completed in 2008 that carries SR-833 and WV-62 across the river, background that is detailed by Structurae.
The Ohio Department of Transportation Southeastern Ohio District 10 said in its Facebook post that it will share new information as it becomes available, and the West Virginia Department of Transportation told Spectrum News 1 it will coordinate inspections with ODOT. For the latest word on travel conditions and official detours, agencies are directing the public to their channels and WV511, while local stations continue to carry live updates from the scene as new details are released.
