By Chad Lampe/Todd Hatton/Staff
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-1001899.mp3
Murray, KY – Click above to listen to a Friday evening roundup regarding the impact of the collapsed bridge.
The now partially collapsed Eggner's Ferry Bridge remains split by a 312 foot cargo vessel called the Delta Mariner. The ship struck the nearly 80 year old bridge last night. Around 2800 vehicles cross the bridge connecting Marshall County to Land Between the Lakes each day. Cadiz resident Jim Dimitrious was one of those drivers last night. "I've been here for ten years, and you get used to seeing certain things, barges going by, and this one looked a little bit high out of the water. I just slowed down and approached it and thought I'm going to watch it and it wasn't moving. I got up to the top of the bridge, two vehicles were ahead and I said I think I'm not going to go any farther. Mtr Parkere walked back and said I almost went off. So we blocked the bridge."
A college tennis team from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga also narrowly escaped the collapsed bridge. Coach Carlos Garcia. "Fortunate enough to be over the bridge in the time that we were, and again, you take a few more minutes at a rest stop, or at dinner, and who know what would have happened."
Neither Kentucky transportation cabinet officials or Foss Maritime, which operates the ship, have issued a statement on the cause of the accident. Transportation Cabinet Spokesman Keith Todd says despite planned work for navigation lights today, they were working. "As a matter of fact some of them were still working after the crash."
Foss spokesman Sam Sacco says his company is leaving the investigation to the Coast Guard. "Lights have been mentioned, but again that will all be part of a Coast Guard Investigation." Sacco says the ship was carrying Atlas five rockets. He says they're stable and there are no environmental concerns associated with the accident.
HWY officials don't know whether the bridge is repairable but they expect a long closure for this corridor to LBL. KYTC Engineer Kevin Mclaren says inspectors are on site to determine if the still standing portions of the bridge are safe for boat passage underneath. Highway officials are unsure about new routes across Kentucky Lake, no one has commented whether a Ferry would be viable. Mclaren says the Coastguard will maintain the safety zone on the lake until it's deemed safe for boats to pass under the remaining structure.
WKMS News will have more on collapsed Eggners Ferry Bridge this afternoon during All Things Considered and during Front Page P.M. at 6:30.