Viewers Flock to See Damaged Bridge in Kentucky

Nearly 1,800 people have traveled to Land Between the Lakes for a chance to see the gnarled span of a western Kentucky bridge that wrapped around the bow of a cargo ship during a collision on Kentucky Lake.

LBL re-opened the Fenton Recreation Area for four hours on Saturday to give people a chance to see the damage up close. The area had been closed after the Delta Mariner hit the Eggner’s Ferry Bridge on Jan. 26, ripping a section away.

A few minutes before the area was closed again, LBL supervisor Bill Lisowsky told The Paducah Sun that 1,772 people had visited.

“It’s important to give the public a quick chance to look at a significant event for the entire community,” Lisowsky said. “We understand the ship may be moved in a few days so this may be the best chance to see it.”

Meanwhile, salvage workers began on Saturday to remove the 322-foot span of the bridge from the bow of the ship, which is owned by Foss Maritime.

Foss spokeswoman Suzanne Lagoni, said it would take a while to determine how lengthy the operation would be.

“We’ll be sending out an update on Monday once we have a better idea about our pace. We’ll be able to then determine if this will take four days or two weeks.”