US 51 Cairo bridge to remain closed for period of time

The US 51/Cairo Bridge will remain closed for a period of time.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced Tuesday the connector between Wickliffe and Cairo was closed Monday as crews conducted a special inspection and identified a problem with a bearing pad on the Kentucky approach.

A bearing pad shifted out of place, causing the bridge deck to become misaligned by approximately two to three inches at an expansion joint. A repair is needed. 

Bearing pads function like cartilage between joints, supporting steel beams while accommodating the bridge's natural expansion and contraction. 

There are no concerns about the bridge's overall structural integrity.

The repair will require crews to lift a heavy section of the bridge deck to replace the bearing pad. State engineers are working with the contractor and design team to finalize a repair plan as quickly as possible.

There is currently no estimated timeline for reopening the bridge. Motorists should continue to use alternate routes and expect the bridge to remain closed until the necessary repairs have been completed.