The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to reduce operating hours at the Barkley Navigation Lock to save money. The Corps announced Monday it will go from a 24 hour to a 20 hour a day operation, starting Jan. 7, 2013.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will restrict traffic to one lane on the U.S. 60 Tennessee River Bridge at Ledbetter tomorrow. The restriction allows inspectors to take a close look at the bridge’s structure. Highway engineers have been inspecting the span on an accelerated schedule since a three-ton load limit was instituted earlier this year. Transportation officials say the bridge carries more than 7,000 vehicles across the Tennessee River between Paducah and Ledbetter on an average day.
Officials say Sunday's rain was not enough to counter the effects of drought on Barkley and Kentucky lakes. National Weather Service meteorologists report the region's rainfall is about 11 inches below the average.
Traffic remains closed along the Tennessee River at the Ledbetter construction site as authorities develop a salvage plan for a sinking construction barge crane.
Coast Guard officials have restricted traffic along the Tennessee River at Ledbetter as several sinking barges threaten to topple a construction crane into the water. The barges provide a platform for the crane used in the building of a new bridge at the site. Work had been shut down at the site for the Memorial Day weekend, and a worker for contractor C.J.
Two men are missing after a pontoon boat capsized on the Tennessee River around 11 this morning. The Grand Lakes Rescue Squad responded to the call after the boat was torn apart below Kentucky Dam. One man was rescued and taken to an area hospital. WPSD reports that crews from 7 different agencies are still searching for the two missing men.
