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(Updated) U.S. 90 reopened after pipeline hit in Baldwin

All roads that were shut down Monday morning in Franklin, including U.S. 90 east and west, have been reopened after a vehicle struck pipeline in the Baldwin area, according to a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office news release.

All residents who had evacuated may return to their homes.

The incident occurred on Yokely Road near the railroad tracks in the Baldwin area where a vehicle reportedly struck a pipeline, the release said. Yokely Road at Northwest Boulevard was also shut down.

The Baldwin Community Center in Baldwin on La. 83 and the Franklin Recreation Center in Franklin on Hospital Boulevard were both open to residents who evacuated due to the emergency incident.

Rick Rainey, a spokesman for Enterprise Products Partners, said the pipeline contained natural gasoline, propane, ethane and butane and was part of the company’s “Promix Gathering System,” which transports the liquids.

Company officials had mobilized their response team and were working with local authorities, he said.

Louisiana State Police Haz Mat was among the authorities on scene.

Franklin High and LaGrange Elementary schools dismissed school Monday morning because Cleco had to shut off power in the area due to the pipeline incident, St. Mary Parish Schools Superintendent Leonard Armato said. Franklin High will be dismissed at 10 a.m. Monday and LaGrange Elementary at 10:30 a.m.

Officials had expected power to be out most of the day at both schools, so they made the decision to close the two schools, Armato said. The school system had buses bring children home, and parents were also welcome to check out their children at the schools, he said.

ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
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Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

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Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255