Barge Strikes Brooks Bridge in Florida

Published Mar 22, 2013 9:57 AM by The Maritime Executive

Update with U.S. Coast Guard release:

The Coast Guard is responding to a report of an allision between a tug and the Brooks Bridge near Highway 98 east of Destin.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Ala., received a report at approximately 3:30 p.m. Wednesday that the tug vessel Miss Lizzy allided with the Brooks Bridge on the Intracoastal Coastal Waterway, which resulted in damage to the bridge, potable water and power lines. The Miss Lizzy was reportedly transiting under the bridge pushing four barges of heavy equipment and cranes when they allided with the bridge.

The Coast Guard established a safety zone closing the bridge to both marine and vehicular traffic until a satisfactory inspection can be completed to ensure safe transit.

The Florida Department of Transportation has completed its survey of the bridge and has since reopened the bridge to pedestrian and motor traffic; however, the center span of the bridge is still closed to marine traffic until a survey is completed to ensure that no debris will continue to fall and that previous debris did not affect the navigable channel depth under the bridge. Temporary repairs have been effected to correct the damage to the water and power lines.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

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A barge carrying a crane crashed into Florida’s Brooks Bridge in Fort Walton Beach on Wednesday afternoon.

The allusion damaged parts of the bridge’s span, and ruptured the main water line to Okaloosa Island. The bridge was also closed to pedestrians and motorists for hours, creating a massive traffic jam.

Authorities report that the crash took place at about 3:15 p.m. as the tugboat Miss Lizzy was pushing four barges. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the crane hit the bridge, taking down several feet of concrete guardrail and breaking the water pipe. Luckily, there were no injuries.

Crews worked throughout the night to repair the bridge and the water line, but Okaloosa Island residents were still asked to conserve water if possible. As of early Thursday morning, all four lanes of Brooks Bridge have been completely re-opened to traffic.