Beech Tree News Network

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC) has launched an extraordinary bridge program to restore aging and deficient bridges across the Commonwealth.  This six-year program will improve bridge conditions and ensure appropriate weight capacities are met by more than 1,000 bridges statewide.  Of those, more than 60 percent are bridges that are owned by county and local governments.

 Two Butler County bridges are some of the first structures that will be restored by the Bridging Kentucky Program.  The replacement project for Waverly School Road and KY 70 Panther Creek bridges will be let for construction February 22, 2019. 

These projects will include:

• ·         Bridge replacement in the same location with the same current geometrics

• ·         Replacement of approach roadway pavement limited to direct vicinity of the bridge

• ·         Complete closure to through traffic during construction, with existing traffic detoured

No construction timetable has been set for the project, but our program team expects work to begin relatively quickly once a construction contract has been executed.  The Waverly School Road bridge is expected to include a bridge closure of up to 50 calendar days, Panther Creek bridge will take up to 40 calendar days once work begins.  The KTC will provide additional information about this project at that time. 

Potential detours and delays can create challenges in the short-term.  However, restoring this bridge will create long-term benefits for everyone in the county.  Nine bridges total will be replaced over the 6-year period in Butler County.