No damage found at Natchez bridge from barges

Published 4:49 pm Friday, April 1, 2011

Officials in Natchez say the Mississippi River Bridge suffered no major damage after being struck by barges carrying coal.

Adams County Emergency Management Director Stan Owens said the speed of the water was a contributing factor to how hard the bridge’s center pillar was hit on Tuesday.

Officials say inspections found no problems that would make the bridge unsafe. They say a pier suffered some minor scrapes.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Two barges from the American Commercial Lines Inc. sank.

Officials say one barge is directly under the bridge, sitting right on the sailing line, but in deep water. The other barge is downriver a bit on the right descending bank. Officials say there is no danger to river traffic.