Downtown Maysville bridge (US 62) closed until further notice
Detour via nearby Harsha bridge (US 68); Repair project pending
FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (Nov. 18, 2019) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has closed the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge (US 62) at Maysville until further notice due to continued deterioriation of damaged bridge support cables.
During today's monthly inspection, engineers noted that damage to suspender cables – the vertical cables extending from the main suspension cable that support the bridge's driving surface – had worsened at some locations.
"To safeguard the traveling public and to prevent further damage to the bridge, the decision was made to keep the bridge closed until the current emergency repair project can be completed," said Steve Gunnell, Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 chief engineer.
The Simon Kenton bridge, which carries US 62 across the Ohio River between downtown Maysville and Aberdeen, Ohio, was restricted to a 3-ton weight limit in July after inspectors found corrosion damage to several suspender cables. State highway engineers put the bridge on a monthly inspection rotation and began planning repairs.
The Transportation Cabinet awarded a contract earlier this month to retrofit the damaged cables, and contractors are currently scheduling the project. It has an estimated completion date of April 15. Contractors will try to get work done as soon as possible, but the bridge will remain closed through the winter.
"While we understand the challenges our region will face by closing the bridge, our priority is protecting travelers and protecting the future of this historic and vital link in our transportation network," Gunnell said.
The repair project includes installation of temporary support rods and brackets at 19 locations adjacent to damaged suspender cables as a short-term safety measure and to hopefully return the bridge to a more normal weight limit while longer-term repairs are considered.
The work will be done by Judy C. Harp Company, Inc., under a $254,535 low-bid Kentucky Transportation Cabinet contract.
While the Simon Kenton bridge remains closed, all US 62 traffic should detour using the William H. Harsha Bridge (US 68) three miles north of Maysville to connect to and from US 52 and US 62 in Ohio.
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