A barge was lodged against the K & I Railroad Bridge last night, leaking hot asphalt and diesel fuel into the Ohio River, as reported by the Louisville Courier-Journal. It was one of three barges that broke loose from their tow January 26 near McAlpine Locks, with two going over the dam's spillway. The Sherman Minton Bridge was closed briefly about 7:30 p.m, but reopened minutes later, when it appeared the barge was sinking. The barge was buckling, turned on its side against two pilings of the K & I. People who live near the area were complaining of diesel fumes. Tests showed the concentration of diesel to be one part per million. Authorities couldn't tell how much diesel or asphalt had leaked into the river because of darkness.
