Engineers believe the damage was caused around April 30th by a red truck, possibly hauling an oversized load traveling from Kentucky into Illinois. After discovery of the damaged vertical beam, the bridge was reduced to a 20-ton load limit which prohibits most trucks. The bridge was already restricted to vehicles no more than 8 ft wide due to the width of the deck. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Keith Todd said officials are still seeking information about who may have caused the damage.
Repairs are currently being done on a beam on the third span out from the Illinois side of the river. That work is expected to take about two days to complete. Once completed, the crew will move to a second span from the Kentucky end of the bridge. The work at that site is expected to take two or three days to complete.
Judy C. Harp Company is handling repairs to the bridge under a $68,269 expedited contract. The contractor took delivery of replacement steel over the weekend. To maintain the historic look, replacement beams include lattice that matches the design of existing steel on the 85-year-old structure. The contractor will also use bolts designed to look similar to rivets originally used to construct the bridge.
Todd said highway crews have worked to complete as much maintenance work as possible while the bridge has been closed, along with prep work for the structural repairs.
