Work has begun on approximately two dozen bridges as part of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s $700 million, six-year Bridging Kentucky program to restore more than 1,000 bridges in critical condition across the state.
Since June, more than 1,100 bridges in disrepair and rated in poor condition have been evaluated and prioritized based on need and cost-effective solutions. The list includes municipal, county, and state bridges, more than 60 currently closed to traffic.
Rehabilitation and replacement have begun on 12 bridges with more bridges scheduled for work later this fall.
This month, site assessments begin for hundreds of bridges. The assessments are expected to take several months.
“Communities across the state will soon begin to see the benefits of this transformational program as we reopen bridges and reduce weight limitations that have affected school buses, emergency vehicles, and many other travelers,” Kentucky Transportation Secretary Greg Thomas said. “It’s been a busy few months getting the program off the ground, and it’s time to start restoring the bridges that connect the Commonwealth.”
The work is more than three times the number of bridges normally under construction annually, Royce Meredith, Bridging Kentucky program manager, said.
Bridging Kentucky is one of the nation’s most aggressive bridge rehabilitation and replacement programs.