OHIO RIVER SPAN CLOSED AFTER BARGE HITS PILING

CAIRO, Ill. -- The Ohio River bridge between Illinois and Kentucky was closed for more than three hours Saturday morning when a boat tow struck a bridge piling.

One barge of an 18-barge tow struck the piling at about 7 p.m.

"The bridge was closed until it could be inspected for damage," said Lt. Robert Coller of the Coast Guard's safety office in Paducah, Ky. "The bridge inspection revealed no structural damage to the bridge, and traffic was resumed about 11 a.m."

Minor damage occurred to one of the barges, but the tow preceded down the Mississippi River.

A report of the accident will be filed by the towing company and an investigation will be conducted by the Coast Guard.