A section of the Mississippi River at mile 95 near the Crescent City Connection Bridge in New Orleans was closed to traffic for about seven hours Friday after an early morning allision between barges being pushed upriver and barges tied up at an oil facility on the west bank at Gretna, La.
The 121’6”x38’x20’4” Penn Maritime tow vessel Lucia allided with barges located at Stone Fleet at 12:17 a.m., after which six barges from the fleeting area broke away.
The loose barges were rounded up, with approximately 20 gals. of petroleum product reported spilled from a loading hose.
Local news media reported the river closure affected the city’s morning commute when the Algiers ferry service had to be suspended for several hours.
