JEFFERSON, La. – Investigators are trying to determine if winds from Tropical Storm Ida caused a barge to break loose and hit the Lapalco Bridge which has closed the bridge until further notice.
No injuries were reported after a barge carrying a crane slammed into the bridge early Tuesday morning, according to Jefferson Parish officials.
The Coast Guard reports the barge that hit the Lapalco Bridge last night, did so as it was evacuating the Harvey Canal. It was not a runaway barge.
According to the Coast Guard, the Captain of the Port gave the order for mariners to leave the canal as Hurricane Ida approached the Louisiana Gulf Coast.
Jefferson Parish Homeland Security Director Deano Bonano reports an inspection this morning revealed that a crane on the barge damaged the under-carriage of the bridge. It apparently gouged some of the steel girders. Engineers are now making some emergency repairs.
Bonano says the parish has a goal to open some lanes of traffic on the bridge later today.
