Rail traffic backs up after barge strikes BNSF bridge

Rail traffic backs up after barge strikes BNSF bridge The U.S. Coast Guard said a barge that broke away from moorings on the upper Mississippi River and became wedged against a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway bridge for several days was freed over the weekend.
   The barge was one of five that broke away from a Matteson Marine facility in Burlington, Iowa, at about 1 a.m. Thursday. Four of the barges were recovered quickly, but one remained wedged against the BNSF bridge and was finally freed 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
   Rail traffic was shut down for 35 hours while the barge was recovered, and the Associated Press reported 100 trains were packed up as a result.
   Damage to the bridge near Burlington is reported as minimal, and the Coast Guard said the accident remains under investigation.