The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has announced a major rehabilitation project for the Blue Bridge in Owensboro.
Preliminary work will begin next week with single lane closures planned for June 9-11.
A full closure of the bridge is scheduled to begin after the July 4th holiday weekend. The contractor will replace the aging bridge deck and perform other repairs to joints and concrete.
The entire project is slated to run through November. However, KYTC is limiting the actual bridge closure to 90 days or less. That schedule would have the bridge reopening to traffic around the first of October.
During construction, crews will replace one 750-ft long span of concrete-filled bridge decking while making repairs to a second span of the same length.
As the decking spans the entire width of the bridge surface, closing one lane at a time is impossible, requiring a full bridge closure.
The full closure will allow for long-term concrete maintenance to be completed. Work is also planned on the Indiana approach to the bridge.
KYTC has coordinated scheduling with the Indiana Department of Transportation: Southwest, so the bridge will only be closed one time.
Around 7,200 vehicles use the bridge each day. Drivers will need to utilize the U.S. 231 William H. Natcher Bridge or cross the Ohio River at Henderson to reach Indiana.
