(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Curtis Walsh, Beaver County Radio)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) A barge that broke free from a construction project on the Beaver River nearly two months ago remains lodged against a dam in Beaver Falls. 

Residents who live along the river say they are surprised the barge has not yet been removed. 

The barge broke free April 2 from a Pennsylvania Turnpike bridge project nearly four miles upstream before becoming stuck on the dam. 

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission told WPXI’s Andrew Havranek that a second barge that also drifted downstream was removed with a crane shortly after becoming lodged near the Beaver Falls-New Brighton Bridge. 

Crews have continued working to remove the remaining barge. Cranes have been positioned on the opposite side of the river, but officials said the vessel has not moved. 

Crispin Havener, assistant press secretary for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, said water levels and equipment access have complicated removal efforts. 

Neighbors also said they are worried about possible damage to the dam. 

Officials have not provided a timeline for when the barge will be removed.