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Ten people injured in Pittsburgh bridge collapse Ten people injured in Pittsburgh bridge collapse
(about 3 hours later)
A bridge in the US city of Pittsburgh has collapsed with four vehicles, including a bus, on it at the time. A bridge in the US city of Pittsburgh has collapsed with six vehicles, including a bus, on it at the time.
No deaths have been reported. Officials said 10 people sustained minor injuries, three of whom were taken to hospital.No deaths have been reported. Officials said 10 people sustained minor injuries, three of whom were taken to hospital.
The snow-covered Fern Hollow Bridge gave way on Friday morning, sometime after 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT). The snow-covered Forbes Avenue Bridge gave way on Friday morning, sometime after 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT).
The collapse happened just hours before President Joe Biden was set to arrive in the city to talk infrastructure. The collapse happened just hours before President Joe Biden visited the area to talk about infrastructure.
Fire Chief Darryl Jones said first responders used ropes longer than 100 feet and formed human chains to pull victims to safety.
A nearby resident told the KDKA-TV local news channel that the incident "sounded like a huge snow plow... pushing along the surface with no snow".
Residents have been asked to avoid the area after public safety officials confirmed they had to shut off a leaking gas line that goes under the bridge. A strong smell of natural gas is being reported in the area.
It remains unclear what caused the structure to cave in. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said it had been inspected as recently as September.
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The White House has said it is in touch with state and local officials, and Mr Biden intends to continue his visit as planned. Fire Chief Darryl Jones said first responders used ropes longer than 100 feet and formed human chains to pull victims to safety. Search dogs and drones were also spotted on the scene.
He is set to speak in West Mifflin, about 10 miles (16km) outside of Pittsburgh, later on Friday about the benefits of the infrastructure spending bill he recently signed into law. A nearby resident told the KDKA-TV local news channel that the incident "sounded like a huge snow plow... pushing along the surface with no snow".
The legislation includes $110bn (£82bn) to repair and rebuild roads and bridges. Residents have been asked to avoid the area after public safety officials confirmed they had to shut off a leaking gas line that goes under the bridge. A strong smell of natural gas is being reported in the area.
Federal transportation officials say about 45,000 US bridges - including more than 3,000 in Pennsylvania - are in poor condition and may be eligible for the funding. It remains unclear what caused the city-owned bridge to cave in. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said it had been inspected as recently as September, but a 2019 assessment revealed its structure was deteriorating.
"This bipartisan infrastructure law is critical," said Mayor Gainey at a Friday morning news conference. "At the end of the day, it's critical that we get this funding." The steel bridge, built in 1970, is a common route for motorists into downtown Pittsburgh.
Federal transportation officials say about 45,000 US bridges - including more than 3,000 in Pennsylvania - are in poor condition.
In November, President Biden signed legislation into law that includes $110bn (£82bn) to repair and rebuild roads and bridges.
On Friday, Mr Biden travelled to visit the fallen bridge ahead of a pre-planned speech in West Mifflin, about 10 miles (16km) outside of Pittsburgh, to tout the benefits of the funding.
President Biden speaks with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey at the scene of the collapsed bridge
"I didn't realise there are more bridges in Pittsburgh than in any other city," said the president, who was born in Pennsylvania. "We are going to fix them all... that's not a joke."
The American Society of Civil Engineers, which regularly scores US infrastructure on an A to F report card, currently gives the country a C- grade.The American Society of Civil Engineers, which regularly scores US infrastructure on an A to F report card, currently gives the country a C- grade.