Geotechnical testing to begin on Cairo bridge

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced Friday that geotechnical testing for the US 51 Ohio River 'Cairo' Bridge replacement project is expected to start this weekend.  The testing includes field work and drilling in the river upstream from the existing bridge.

Crews will drill and test soil samples from ground level to as deep as 400 feet below the riverbed. 
Drilling will take place 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until the work is complete.

Because of the area's complex river conditions, a lift boat will be used to minimize the impact on passing Ohio River towboat traffic.  The geotechnical work is expected to take a couple of months, but the schedule is dependent on river levels.

The geotechnical testing will provide a better analysis of the soils under the river and existing geological conditions, which will give engineers the information necessary to design the foundations for a new bridge.

The work will have no impact on vehicle traffic crossing the existing bridge.