Speed reduction work taking place on Ohio River/Cairo bridge

For the safety of motorists crossing the Ohio River into Illinois, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is making changes to reduce speeds on the Ohio River "Cairo" Bridge, which carries US 51, US 60 and US 62 between Ballard County, Kentucky and Cairo, Illinois.

Crews are placing traffic lane markers along the bridge's curbing to facilitate safe and efficient travel and post a 20 mph speed limit. Motorists should expect temporary, alternating lane closures for about 5 hours.

The work is necessary to safeguard the bridge and the traveling public until a repair project can be completed. These repairs should allow the speed limit and traffic calming measures to be lifted. Engineers hope to have repairs completed this winter.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is in the early stages of a project to replace the aging bridge, which opened on Nov. 11, 1939.