Multiple barges break away during hurricane; Florida bridge hit

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(PENSACOLA, Fla.) — Multiple barges broke loose from the Three Mile Bridge during Hurricane Laura as the finishing touches on the nearly $400 million project were getting completed, the Pensacola News Journal reported.

One of the construction barges knocked part of the bridge's roadway loose. Florida Sen. Doug Broxson said the damage would take more than a month to repair.

Five of the barges have washed up near downtown — four just west of the Missing Children's Memorial and one in front of the Gulf Power building. A sixth was last reported drifting toward Escambia Bay and the Interstate 10 bridge when it grounded. A seventh barge wedged itself against the Garcon Point Bridge.

Some of the barges are owned by Skanska USA. The contractor has not answered queries concerning how many barges broke lose and where they've ended up.

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By Professional Mariner Staff