[1/28/05] Coast Guard officials are investigating whether a St. Louis barge company will be fined after its two of its tows hit the Mississippi River bridges at Vicksburg this week.

Lt. Diane Wickman of the Baton Rouge office said the accidents were under investigation. Speaking generally, she said the Coast Guard has the power to levy fines or penalize the company if it is found to be negligent.

The 75-year-old U.S. 80 bridge was hit twice, on Wednesday and Thursday. The Interstate 20 bridge was hit Thursday, presumably by the same two barges that hit the old bridge and then sank about a mile and a half south. All of the barges were tows of ARTCO.

No one was reported injured and no pollutants were been dumped in the river, Coast Guard officials said.

Each time one of the bridges is hit, structural engineers from Baton Rouge inspect it, and bill tow companies. ARTCO officials did not return calls Thursday or this morning.

Bridge Superintendent Herman Smith said swift current caused by high water levels was likely a factor. Tows headed downstream must complete a bend in the river and line up straight to travel safely between the bridge piers. That’s harder to do during floods.