AASHTO Journal, 3 February 2012
“Crews have worked tirelessly around the clock inspecting the bridge’s stability,” Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said in a statement. “Assessing the condition of the piers will help us determine what we can do to restore traffic on U.S. 68 and Kentucky 80. We value the public’s patience and support during this inconvenient time.”
The two-lane bridge is at the western entrance to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. It opened to traffic in 1932. Its elevation was raised in 1943 when the Tennessee River was impounded to create Kentucky Lake.
The bridge carries about 2,650 vehicles across the lake per day. KYTC is in the process of replacing the bridge, along with the nearby bridge over Lake Barkley. Pre-construction work, including geotechnical drilling, began months ago.
With loss of the bridge, motorists are advised to take alternate routes such as Interstate 24 around the northern end of Land Between the Lakes.