UPDATE: Bridge replacement to close Powell County road postponed

UPDATE POSTED JUNE 10, 2021 AT 

JACKSON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The beginning of the road closure for KY 2026 has been rescheduled from June 14 to June 21.

The postponement comes from the availability of beams needed for construction of the new Red River bridge.

ORIGINAL STORY POSTED JUNE 9, 2021 AT 1:42 P.M.

POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – Drivers who use KY 2026 (Pompeii Road) in Clay City in Powell County will need to find an alternate route beginning Monday, June 14.

The road will be closed between KY 11/KY 15 (Main Street) and Fife Lick Road for up to 60 days for replacement of the bridge crossing the Red River and for correction of flooding issues along the low-lying section of highway between milepoints 0.0 and 0.44.

A signed detour involving KY 11/KY 15 and KY 2073 through Stanton will be posted. The new bridge and improved roadway are expected to open to traffic by Aug. 12. Some additional work may take place after the road reopens.

The existing bridge was built in 1965. It has a sufficiency rating of 29.4 and is classified as structurally deficient. The bridge has a weight limit of between 20 and 25 tons depending on the type of vehicle. Fewer than 400 vehicles use the bridge each day.

The segment of KY 2026 between the bridge and the KY 11/KY 15 intersection in Clay City is prone to flooding. This project will raise the height of the roadbed to help alleviate flooding issues which frequently cause the road to be closed.