Ashland bridge will close for repairs for next two months

FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (WTVQ)- If you’re travelling through Ashland in the next two months, prepare for a detour.

The Transportation Cabinet says the 12th Street (US 60) Ohio River bridge in downtown Ashland will close for repairs for the next two months starting on Saturday, September 8th.

According to the Cabinet, contractors wanted to start the $1 million project Sunday, but they chose to move the date up a day due to rain in the forecast.

Early Saturday morning, crews will get started by modifying the Simeon Willis Bridge so it will be able to hold two-way traffic.

By Saturday afternoon, all traffic from Ohio to Kentucky should be shifted onto the 13th Street bridge so the 12th Street bridge can close.

The Cabinet says you can expect these traffic patterns:

“OHIO TO KENTUCKY

– Motorists crossing the Ohio River from US 52 in Ohio to US 23 or US 60 in Kentucky will proceed through the traffic lights and onto the 13th Street bridge. The far right lane will be used for Kentucky-bound traffic.

– At the end of the 13th Street bridge in Kentucky, traffic will be split into two right-turn only lanes that MUST turn right onto US 23-Winchester Avenue. 

– For US 60 west, follow US 23 north and turn left at the next light (12th Street). For US 23 north, proceed straight. For US 23 south or US 60 east, proceed straight and then turn right at 11th Street following the truck route to Greenup Avenue.

KENTUCKY TO OHIO

– Motorists crossing the Ohio River from US 23 in Kentucky to US 52 in Ohio will proceed straight on 13th Street in Ashland onto the bridge as usual. All traffic crossing to Ohio will be restricted to the two right lanes. Turns and traffic signals for US 52 at the end of the bridge will remain unaffected.

The traffic changes remain weather dependent. In case of rain or storms Saturday, the 12th Street bridge closure and reconfiguration of the 13th Street could be delayed until later next week.”

According to the Transportation Cabinet, the project is preventative. It will include new concrete and new connecting joints.

The bridge was built in the 1930s. It is officially called the Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge.

According to the Transportation Cabinet, closing the bridge for maintenance is the safest choice because it is too narrow to hold work and drivers.

This won’t be the first time this detour has been used. Drivers used it when the bridge was repaired in 2013 when a truck damaged a support beam.

The bridge was fully refurbished in the 1980s. Since then it has undergone several painting and maintenance projects.

The Cabinet says engineers recently analyzed the bridge’s pavement using radar and found a new concrete overlay and deck joints are needed to keep the bridge safe. 

In June, the Transportation Cabinet awarded a $988,948 contract to Delong Concrete LLC of Lexington for the work. It should be complete by November 15th. 

You can find updated information on the project here.