NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard says they reopened the Mississippi River to one-way traffic for a stretch of the river near West Pointe à la Hache Thursday night.

Vessels planning to travel the area from mile marker 50 to mile marker 52 should contact the tow vessel Kyle Joseph to make transit arrangements.

The stretch of river was closed Tuesday between mile markers 50 and 53 following a barge breakaway that involved 22 vessels. Three deep-draft motor vessels were damaged as a a result, and a quantity of dry-bulk soybeans were dumped into the river.

The barges were loaded with coal and petroleum coke. They’ve all been secured except for one which is pushed against the left descending bank.

The cause of the barge breakaway remains under investigation by the Coast Guard.