Bridge railing out of position, situation sparks new concerns

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Reporter - Robert Bradfield
Editor - Chad Bowlin

Story Created: Jan 29, 2012 at 6:44 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 29, 2012 at 6:44 PM CDT

MARSHALL COUNTY, Ky. — There is new concern over what  inspectors found this weekend at Eggners Ferry Bridge.

A guardrail on the east, or Trigg County side, shows the bridge may be moving.
 
Keith Todd with Kentucky's Transportation Cabinet released photos to media outlets showing a portion of railing that connects the bridge's spans is out of position.
 
The photos show that two rails are curved when they're supposed to be straight. 
 
Inspectors were hoping to just rebuild the portion of the bridge that broke off when the Delta Mariner hit it Thursday night.  However, more construction may be needed if it's determined the bridge is shifting.     
 
The Delta Mariner will remain in the water until the debris is cleared and the ship's owner comes up with a clean up plan.  Despite the partial collapse, Todd wants the public to know Kentucky bridges are safe. 
 
"The bottom line for our inspectors is their families go across these bridges just like everybody else does and I have people (ask) is this bridge safe, is that bridge safe.  If a bridge was not safe it would be closed," Keith Todd with the Transportation Cabinet said. 
 
On WPSD Local 6 At 10 hear what Todd is saying about the future of the bridge and why he feels a temporary ferry wouldn't work.