According to the US Coast Guard Operations Center in Louisville, the Motor Vessel EVT reported it was pushing 14 empty barges downstream when it made a "controlled landing" against one of the bridge piers when it was hit by an 18 MPH gust of wind.
Initially, the pilot reported the port lead barge had scraped against the pier when the gust of wind hit the tow. However, the pilot later reported the collision was severe enough that the lead barge was taking on water.
The bridge was closed to vehicle traffic at about 2:00 am and a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Bridge Inspector was dispatched to run a safety check on the bridge structure. The inspector found no damage, and the bridge re-opened about 4:30 am.
The US 68/KY 80 Cumberland River/Lake Barkley Bridge is also known as the Lawrence Memorial Bridge, and carries approximately 5,500 vehicles in an average day. The bridge in Trigg County is at the eastern entrance to Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area.
