Crane closes Route 90 span

OCEAN CITY -- The Route 90 bridge over Assawoman Bay was temporarily closed yesterday evening after a crane being used for repairs collapsed onto the span, authorities said.

No injuries were reported.

Steven Price, a spokesman for the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department, said traffic into and out of the resort city had been reduced to one lane while workers were using the crane to repair piers and pilings under the span just west of Ocean City near 62nd Street.

About 5:20 p.m., the crane's boom collapsed, halting traffic and closing the bridge for several hours, Price said.

The bridge links Ocean City with Ocean Pines and is a popular shortcut for motorists as an alternative to U.S. 50 at the southern end of the resort.

No damage to the bridge was found, and the crane was expected to be removed by early this morning, Price said.