Another Barge Hits the Bridge; Video in story

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Another barge has hit the Old Highway 80 Bridge at Vicksburg, the second to strike the bridge in a week.

This morning at 9:56 a.m., a tow owned by Marquette Transportation in Paducah, Kentucky, hit pier four on the Old Highway 80 Bridge. It was pushing 25 barges full of grain. Last Thursday, another barge hit the same bridge pier.

An initial report indicates the tow lost five barges, with one sinking downriver. A video of the impact shows heavy damage to the lead barge that made contact with the bridge. The lead barge briefly held the four behind it before they broke free. Three barges drifted downriver, but one floated into pier five before continuing downstream. The initial investigation indicates that none of the loose barges made contact with the Interstate 20 bridge at Vicksburg. There are no reported injuries in the collision. The Coast Guard was seen at the location and has begun an investigation.

Rail traffic on the Old Highway 80 bridge has been halted until bridge crews can investigate the piers.

The Vicksburg Daily News has obtained a video of the barge making impact. This video has been sped up and is not in real time: