River Closed at Vicksburg After Bridge Hit The Coast Guard says the Mississippi River is closed at Vicksburg because barges hit a railroad bridge there and about 30 barges broke free from their tow. Petty Officer Ryan Tippets says 15 barges have been recovered. He says two sank and crews are working to round up the rest. He couldn't say when the bridge might reopen. Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace tells The Vicksburg Post (http://bit.ly/11u5lPh) the barges were carrying coal and grain. The bridge is used for rail traffic. It has not carried vehicle traffic since 1998.