While a substantial number of maintenance issues have been addressed while the bridge has been closed, engineers decided Wednesday morning that remaining work can be done using lane restrictions in coming weeks.
A flurry of work has taken place to add new restrictions and prolong the life of the bridge. The limits are designed to keep large trucks and farm equipment off the structure.
The bridge was closed on May 8 after illegal traffic created a safety hazard for workers who were making repairs. New signs have been installed
indicating a 15-ton load limit, reiterating the strict 8-foot load width, and two new 9-foot 6-inch barriers are prominent features at each end of the bridge to specifically exclude vehicles over that height.
indicating a 15-ton load limit, reiterating the strict 8-foot load width, and two new 9-foot 6-inch barriers are prominent features at each end of the bridge to specifically exclude vehicles over that height.
While most trucking companies and truck drivers have obeyed the previous load limit and 8 ft. vehicle width restriction, some have not, according to KYTC. Violators prompted a number of additional restrictions including:
• 9 ft. 6-inch maximum vehicle height restriction with a barricade at each end of the bridge
• 15-ton load limit
• 8 ft. maximum vehicle width
• No permitted loads
• 25 mile per hour speed limit.
Poat said the restrictions are clearly marked by multiple signs along U.S. 45 as drivers approach the bridge.
Original story:
Officials say the $400,000 repair project on the US Highway 45 Brookport Bridge is nearing completion and could allow the bridge to open to traffic by the end of the week.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the contractor is working on a number of final items, while KYTC personnel are working on enhanced traffic restrictions and a new load limit that would eliminate illegal truck traffic and farm equipment from the bridge. If the bridge opens later this week, it would be more than a month ahead of the original November 1 target date.
New signs have been installed on approaches to the bridge indicating a 15-ton load limit, the strict 8-foot load width, and two new 9.5-foot barriers are being constructed at each end of the bridge to specifically exclude vehicles over that height. KYTC District 1 Chief Engineer Kyle Poat says progress on those items and completion of some additional maintenance efforts will allow a better approximation of an opening date.
"We've had a paint truck refresh traffic striping on the bridge, we've had a guardrail contractor checking on and repairing guardrail, we've had KYTC maintenance personnel cutting brush along the Kentucky approach, we have our sign crew preparing and installing signs, and we are finishing construction of a barricade at each end of the bridge to exclude illegal trucks," Poat said. "We are also working on permanent gates that will allow us to close the bridge when it ices over during winter weather. Work on all of these items and a number of other maintenance efforts will continue right up until traffic is restored."
The contractor has some work below the bridge deck yet to be completed, but engineers have worked out a plan for workers to return and complete those tasks in a few weeks, and it may be done with only intermittent daytime lane restrictions.
The more aggressive restrictions follow repeated disregard of the width and weight restriction. Poat said truckers and farmers have both ignored them, and drivers have shared numerous stories and photos documenting the violations.
Poat noted that evidence further supported plans for additional restrictions and barriers to eliminate all truck traffic with a goal of protecting the bridge for the long-term and preserving it so that it safely serves the most people for the longest time possible.
Poat said that there is currently no plan to replace the bridge, enhancing the need for restrictions to maintain its long-term safety.
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