A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is now offering a temporary ferry service to help farmers get around work zone lane restrictions on the Ohio River “Shawneetown” Bridge. The bridge is getting a new deck surface, and the work zone includes a 10-foot load width restriction until late September, which prohibits most farm equipment from using it.
A ferry was used in this location for 150 years until 1956, when the bridge was built.
KYTC District 2 Chief Engineer Kevin McClearn says the ferry will help about 40 farmers with movement of their equipment during a critical period of crop season.
“The ferry will be available for farmers from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. That will leave the landings in Kentucky and Illinois clear on weekends for use exclusively by fishermen and boaters,” McClearn said.
The ferry is being operated by Lonnie Lewis, Inc., operator of the Cave-In-Rock Ferry, and can haul farm equipment up to 18 feet wide and nearly 80 feet long. Due to high water on the Ohio, the ferry is unable to use the main Shawneetown landing, so for now it is operating from a landing below Bunge Grain on the Illinois shore.
Farmers who have particularly large equipment should contact the ferry direct at 618-313-2314 to determine if special arrangements will be required. It will also allow the ferry to prepare for arriving loads to help reduce loading and crossing time.
McClearn said he appreciates the cooperation and understanding of the affected farmers.
“We recognized that the bridge work zone restrictions were going to have a direct impact on their livelihood,” McClearn said. “In our initial meeting, the farmers recognized the need to get the deck work completed during the summer months so it doesn’t substantially impact the movement of harvesting equipment this fall.”
Without the temporary ferry service, farmers would have to haul their equipment on trucks across the Ohio River using the U.S. 41 Twin Bridges at Henderson and Evansville, creating a 106 mile detour.
The contractor anticipates completing work on the bridge around Sept. 21.
The Shawneetown Bridge connects KY 56 (Morganfield-Shawneetown Road) with Illinois Route 13 across the Ohio River between Morganfield, KY, and Shawneetown, IL.
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Ferry Opens for Farmers at Shawneetown Bridge
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