Popp’s Ferry Bridge reopens after barge crash, but it’ll close again in the morning
A barge crashed into the Popp’s Ferry Bridge on Tuesday afternoon, stopping traffic for nearly four hours until it was determined safe for vehicles.
A tugboat pushing three barges struck the bridge’s bumper system just before 1 p.m., the city said in a release. The barges were carrying crushed rock, gravel and construction equipment.
The 42-year-old, two-lane bridge was closed while bridge inspectors and city contractor Neel-Schaffer assessed the damage, which is believed to be minor.
“At this time, it is believed that the barge rammed the timber bumper system before hitting the bridge itself, just below the tender’s house,” City Engineering Department Director Christy LeBatard said in the release. “We believe the bumper system bore the brunt of the impact. We have found no structural damage, but we have a diver assessing the bridge below the surface of the water to make sure.”
The bridge re-opened before the 5 p.m., but it remains closed to marine traffic.
On Wednesday, the bridge was closed again from 5-7:30 a.m. for more inspection and assessment.
There were no injuries reported, the city said.
Unlike in 2009, when a barge knocked out a 60-foot section of the bridge and closed it for months, this time the span is intact.
The current bridge was built in 1978 and transferred to the City of Biloxi about 20 years later.
This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 4:58 PM.
