Bridge Shutdown for 60 Days After Louisiana Barge Accident

According to WAFB CBS 9, due to the damage caused by a February 28 barge accident, a Grosse Tete, Louisiana bridge will be closed for at least 60 days. The bridge is a major crossing for area residents as well as those passing through, and closing it is causing many commuters headaches.

“It’s extremely inconvenient,” stated one Grosse Tete resident. “I can’t go to school or do anything without getting in my boat and going across the bayou.”

The barge accident that damaged the bridge happened late at night. Although there are aprons on the bridge to prevent vessels from crashing into it, because the barge struck the apron directly, it was able to inflict severe damage to the crossing. The barge took out nearly 50 feet of the bridge when it slammed into it. In addition, as a result of the collision, a concrete section of the bridge was shifted almost six inches, and eight pilings underneath the crossing were damaged.

The reason it will take so long to repair the bridge is the damage to the pilings, which will have to be replaced.

“They worried about the main structure being able to support the weight of 18-wheelers that cross here daily,” Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi told WAFB CBS 9.

For those who do not have a boat to cross the waterway, taking I-10 to LA 1 is their only other option for getting from Grosse Tete to Plaquemine.

“If you live on the west side of the intra coastal and you work at Georgia Gulf, it’s approximately 45-50 miles out of your way,” said Sheriff Stassi.

Lawyers That Handle Tug and Barge Accidents

Tugboats and barges can cause a great deal of damage if not operated correctly. If procedures are not followed properly or unqualified individuals are allowed to operate these vessels, it can result in injuries to or the death of maritime workers and other boaters as well as damage to the ship, other watercraft and nearby property.

For over 50 years, Latti & Anderson LLP have been guiding the victims of maritime accidents through the legal process of holding those at fault for their accidents accountable and recovering the compensation they and their families need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a tug or barge accident, we can help.

For more information about maritime law and tug and barge accidents, or to discuss your situation with a qualified attorney, call our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Latti & Anderson’s Little Extra: The US Coast Guard reported that in 2012 operator inattention and operator inexperience were two of the primary contributing factors in accidents.

Latti & Anderson LLP – Nationwide Maritime Attorneys