US 51 bridge at Cairo closed until further notice

Getting from Kentucky to Illinois and Missouri has become increasingly difficult with the US 51 bridge from Wickliffe to Cairo closed.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet closed the bridge on Monday after a driver noticed what was described as a “noticeable change to the bridge deck.” That change prompted a special inspection by engineers. Once they complete their assessment, they will have to decide if they can reopen it to traffic.

In the meantime, that means a lot more traffic trying to cross along I-24 and the Brookport Bridge to a lesser extent. jpstraffic.com is reporting increasing delays along the interstate corridor, which is also choked down due to the ongoing construction that has it reduced to one lane in each direction.

Further compounding issues, the Cave-In-Rock Ferry is still not operating after the last contract offer was rejected. The Dorena-Hickman Ferry, the only direct link between Kentucky and Missouri, is temporarily closed, as well, while they dredge the harbor.

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Photo courtesy of GoogleMaps