Twin Bridges Closed Overnight

If construction wasnt enough to slow traffic on the twin bridges in Thursdays overnight hours, the tow boat, George King, slowed it to a complete standstill, at least on the northbound bridge. Traffic is moving just fine now, but the motor vessel towing 15 barges hit the bridge. It was shut down for more than two hours to allow the bridge to be inspected. The U.S. Coast Guard says the tow boat pilot had trouble maneuvering because the river currents were too strong. Thats what pushed the tow into the pier. The northbound bridge reopened about 1:30 Friday morning. Here is a copy of the news release sent out: NEWS RELEASE About 11:00 p.m., CT., Thursday night the Motor Vessel George King with a tow of 15 barges hit a pier on the US 41 Twin Bridges. The northbound bridge was closed for more than two hours to allow the bridge to be inspected. The US Coast Guard said the tow boat pilot indicated strong currents caused by high water on the Ohio River pushed the tow into the pier. Some of the barges hauling dry cargo broke free and were later recovered. The tow struck the left descending pier of the northbound bridge. The southbound bridge remained open to traffic during the incident. The northbound bridge reopened to traffic about 1:30 a.m., after being checked by a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet bridge inspector. Engineers from the Kentucky Transportation Center have been calibrating a sensor recently installed on one of the other piers to study the impact of barge hits. That sensor is expected to be in full operation in 6 to 12 months.