The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard has reopened the Elizabeth River between the Gilmerton Bridge and the High Rise Bridge to all vessel traffic after all power lines were removed from the water, Thursday evening.
The Coast Guard was initially notified by the Chesapeake Fire Department that an incident during construction on the High Rise Bridge resulted in a power outage and a potential hazard to navigation at 11:45 a.m.
There were no reported injuries.
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(PORTSMOUTH, Va.) — The Coast Guard has closed the Elizabeth River between the Gilmerton Bridge and the High Rise Bridge to all vessel traffic due to potentially downed power lines Thursday.
The Coast Guard was notified by the Chesapeake Fire Department that an incident during construction on the High Rise Bridge resulted in a power outage and a potential hazard to navigation at 11:45 a.m.
The Coast Guard is currently on scene and evaluating the situation with the Chesapeake Fire Department.
There were no reports of injuries.
Mariners transiting the Elizabeth River can contact Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads via VHF Channel 16.
Editor's note: The Virginian-Pilot reported that a crane on a barge struck high-voltage electrical lines, pulling them from their towers on both sides of the river north of the High Rise Bridge.