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NATCHEZ — Loose barges apparently struck one of the Mississippi River bridges at Natchez, causing both bridges to temporarily close.

Emergency management officials confirmed that the westbound bridge, which carries traffic from Natchez into Vidalia, had been hit, but both sides were temporarily closed to allow traffic to be rerouted.

Natchez Police Chief Cal Green said her officers would be working with Vidalia Police to divert traffic to the Eastbound bridge so that the Westbound side can be assessed for damage.

Mississippi and Louisiana Department of Transportation will have to make the call on when the bridge will reopen, Green said.

Neifa Hardy, community liaison with Adams County Emergency Management, said all of the loose barges were retrieved and were empty when they hit the bridge, she said.

“My understanding is that there was minimal damage because they were empty,” said, but reiterated that the DOT would have to confirm that the bridge is safe for travel. Both bridges could reopen within an hour following a closer examination, she said.