Terry
Moderator posted 11-10-02 04:24 PM
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In what promises to be a huge economic boost for the city, New Orleans is getting ready to greet one of the largest cruise ships in the world -- but there is just one problem: power lines.
For the Carnival cruise ship "Conquest" to enter the Port of New Orleans, Entergy must raise a set of sagging power lines hanging over the river at the Chalmette ferry. The lines cross 300-foot towers on either side, but sag to 176 feet in the middle of the river.
The Conquest stands 208 feet out of the water.
Entergy is reluctant to spend the millions required to raise the power lines, which have been in place for 40 years, according to WDSU NewsChannel 6 reporter Scott Simmons. Carnival says it shouldn't be asked to foot the bill.
For now, there is a temporary -- and problematic -- compromise in place.
On Tuesday, the ship will enter the port by navigating around the lines, hugging one side of the river. Entergy, meanwhile, will temporarily cut power to the lines, causing them to contract and rise.
Moreover, to accomodate the ship's close-to-shore track, river traffic in the area will have to come to a screeching halt for one hour twice a week until the power lines are permanently raised to a sufficient height, Simmons reported.
"It's a big ship," port spokesman Robert Jumonville said. "We are asking other river traffic to stay out of this safety zone, which is described as 2 miles above the cable and 2 miles below the cable."
Port officials said there is plenty of deep water for the ship to steer around the lines, but admit they are narrow corridors.
A Carnival spokeswoman said the company isn't thrilled about it.
"The ideal situation would be if that line was higher," spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said. "There are a lot of cruise ships being built at this size level. This isn't a matter that will go away."
Entergy has a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit that says that the company must be able to raise the lines to 213 feet with just 24 hours notice. Carnival wants that permit enforced.
Entergy issued a written statement late Thursday saying it is working on a long-term solution, but that it hasn't determined who would be responsible for the cost.
Carnival said it's not the cruise company's power line.
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Posts: 781 | From: South Carolina | Registered: 06-25-01
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