In a critical incident on April 2, 2015, the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel Agia Irini lost power while navigating the Delaware River near Bristol, writes JD Mullane for the Bucks County Courier Times.  

The 623-foot, 33,000-ton ship, veering dangerously close to the Burlington-Bristol Bridge, was intentionally grounded by its crew, averting a potential disaster. 

The maneuver successfully prevented the vessel from colliding with the bridge, which a report by The New York Times identified as one of the most vulnerable to such accidents.  

This bridge, among others along the Delaware River, suffers from deteriorating protective barriers around its piers. 

Michael McCarron, director of operations at the Burlington County Bridge Commission, noted that upcoming repair efforts would focus on reinforcing the bridge’s protective systems, according to The New York Times.  

Additional safety measures are being discussed, including enhanced communication strategies for bridge tower operators and emergency evacuation procedures in case of future threats. 

The Delaware Memorial Bridge is also undergoing significant upgrades to improve safety, featuring new concrete structures designed to deflect errant vessels and protect the bridge structure. 

Read more about Burlington-Bristol Bridge and its durability in the Bucks County Courier Times.  

Burlington Bristol Bridge by drone