Bob Mallette was all set to finally remove the barge from its resting place against the K&I; Bridge Saturday, but mother nature had different plans.
“The river is giving us some problems,” Mallette said. “It’s just not cooperating.”
Mallette, hired by Magnolia Marine Transport to supervise the barge removal, said the fast-moving current — brought about by rising waters due to recent storms — could postpone the barge’s removal until Wednesday, possibly even Friday.
A spokesman from the National Weather Service in Louisville said about 2 inches of rain fell in the New Albany area Wednesday and Thursday. The forecast calls for a hot, dry weekend with only a 20-30 percent chance for rain towards the middle of next week.
Mallette said the river’s current is pinning the barge to the bridge pillars rendering it impossible to move it into an upright position.
“When the current slacks off, we’ll have a greater ability to control the removal of the barge,” Mallette said.
The barge has now been in its position for 122 days. It came loose from a tow group on Jan. 26.
Mallette said the barge’s retrieval has taken so long because workers had to reheat the eight compartments that were holding liquid asphalt one at a time. Portable heating coils had to be brought in to do the job because the existing ones were damaged when the barge hit the bridge.
Now that the majority of the asphalt has been removed, Mallette said, the weight of the vessel has been reduced from 5,000 tons to about 1,200 tons.
“This thing is almost as big as a football field,” he said. “It’s as long as a football field and half as wide.”
Mallette said once the current calms, workers will pull the bottom of the barge upstream allowing it to, once again, float upright.
Floyd County
Barge to enjoy holiday weekend in area
Stuck visitor to remain a few more days
- Floyd County
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Greenville town manager hired, incensing silenced crowd
Richardson threatened to have the town marshal clear the gym, but decided against it.
“I am asking people out there to stay out of it. This has nothing to do with you. You elected us to represent you.”
But that only go the crowd more incensed.
“You ought to be run out of town Talbotte,” yelled one resident. -
New Albany council opposes two low-income developments
Councilman Greg Phipps said the measure was changed because there could be “some legal issues” with the way it was originally written. He said regardless, such a resolution that targets low-income developments intimates underlying stereotypes to the community even if it’s not the intention of those who supported the measure.
- News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 7, 2012
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Students get time out for good behavior
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Student sues to wear breast cancer bracelet
An Indiana eighth-grader sued his school district in federal court Monday for the right to wear a bracelet promoting breast cancer awareness with the message “I (heart) Boobies.”
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New Albany house destroyed by fire
The fire department arrived within six minutes, but the fire had already made its way out of the garage and across the attic. The homeowners heard explosions from the garage area.
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Body found in cave may be missing Georgetown man
Conservation Officer Jeff Milner said they believe it is Eve based on evidence found at the scene.
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Council considers opposing low-income developments
Councilman John Gonder said he supports a system that would allow the city to cap sewer credits for low-income housing and give preference to the New Albany Housing Authority.
He conceded his wife does sit on the housing authority board, but believes the city should give favor to the entity when it comes to low-income lodging because it has to meet federal guidelines. - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 6, 2012
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New Albany ‘in the process of deciding’ riverfront schedule
Several parties have expressed interest in helping with planning events and Gahan said “I want to encourage” an inclusive group to manage the program. He added his administration wants to press for more shows at the downtown farmers’ market stage off Market Street as well.
- More Floyd County Headlines
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