In the
wake of the tragic bridge collapse in Webbers Falls, OK, Rep.
Shirley Borhauer, (R-Bella Vista) has said she will request
a study on whether vessels on state waterways need to have two
pilots on the bridge
Borhauer
(R-Bella Vista) told Land Line June 7 she feels safety on waterways
is very important in her state and others. "The study is
in the early stages and much research needs to be done before
a bill is proposed," she said. "I just requested the
study to be written by my legislative staff. I will then research
which states do or do not have two pilots on a vessel. I do
not wish to propose a bill that has no way of being enforced."
Borhauer
said a constituent suggested she look into the matter after
a barge struck the Interstate 40 bridge near Webbers Falls,
OK, on May 26, collapsing it. Fourteen people died when their
vehicles plunged off the bridge.