Lapalco Bridge reopens after barge knocks it out for several hours

HARVEY, La. -- Traffic is moving again on the Lapalco Bridge over the Harvey Canal, but only one lane in each direction is open.

According to the Coast Guard, the tow boat General E Lee was pushing a construction barge and crane on the canal when it hit the bridge, forcing it to be closed for several hours.

Jefferson Parish Homeland Security Director Deano Bonano said the crane struck the movable portion on the underside of the draw bridge. He said the bridge operator immediately closed the bridge after the collision.

"It actually damaged the guard rail, about 16 foot of the decking, the automatic greasing system and the electrical system as well as the warning lights," said Bonano.

Bonano also said the tow boat captain never asked the bridge operator to raise the bridge until after he hit it.

"He obviously felt as though he was low enough to pass under the bridge," said Bonano. "That's very obvious."

The Harvey Canal was open to mariners at the time of the accident.

According to the Coast Guard, the waterway, along with the Industrial Canal in New Orleans and the Algiers Canal never reached that weather threshold that would have forced vessels to evacuate the canals.

"If a storm is approaching the area, if tropical storm force winds are predicted with a surge, within 24 hours, we're supposed to leave, they're required to leave," said Lt. Cmdr. Marty Daniels. "But, in this case it wasn't predicted, so what we did is we met with industry. We doubled up lines. We got as many out as we could. But, for those that were remaining we sent out six different assessment teams to insure mooring were safe. As a result, those areas were found free of incident."

One westbound lane is expected to remain closed on the Lapalco Bridge for the next several days. Jefferson Parish officials say there may be more bridge closures as contractors work in permanent repairs.