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UPDATE: Ferry changes implemented as Sunshine Bridge still closed

Posted at 12:20 PM, Oct 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-14 13:25:09-04

The Sunshine Bridge is still closed after a Friday crash damaged.

Because of that, the second Plaquemine ferry will operate until 6 p.m. Sunday. The first ferry will continue its extended weekend hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. On weekdays, the second boat will also run an hour longer, until 10 a.m., in the mornings and will start an hour earlier, 1:30 p.m., in the afternoons.

The bridge in Donaldsonville was struck by a barge carrying a crane early Friday.

A main load-carrying support beam received severe damage from the collision.

DOTD says that the bridge will remain closed indefinitely until repairs are made and the bridge is deemed safe for use; the department announced this afternoon that the bridge is still closed.

Courtesy of The Advocate                               Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG

As our media partners at The Advocate report, with the bridge out-of-service, a 90-second drive between the east and west banks of the river became a nearly hourlong journey. Highway officials suggested that motorists use a bridge at Gramercy, 20 miles south, or the ferry at Plaquemine, 28 miles north. The next closest bridge is at Baton Rouge, a 33-mile one-way drive to the north.

Here’s the Advocate’sfull story on the damage, the efforts underway and the impact.