NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard is responding to a barge allision at mile marker 435.8 on the Mississippi River near Vicksburg, Mississippi, Thursday.
The towing vessel Thomas Kay allided with the Vicksburg Railroad Bridge this afternoon. One ethanol barge has sustained damage from the Allison. The other eighteen dry cargo barges reported no damage.
The Captain of the Port has issued a waterway restriction from mile marker 363 near Natchez, MS north to mile marker 438 near Vicksburg, MS. The restriction is for towboats pushing barges to not transit under the bridges.
The Vicksburg Railroad Bridge will remain closed until a safety inspection is completed by the Vicksburg Bridge Commission and the State of Mississippi.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.