Damage to the Panther Creek bridge on KY 81 is repairable, and the bridge can be reopened rather than having to be replaced according to engineers with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The bridge is expected to be reopened to traffic in late fall. After repairs are made, KYTC engineers expect the bridge to last at least another 10 years.
It initially was thought that the damage caused last month was too great to repair, but after further review engineers were able to identify an option that will include raising the bridge by 2 feet and adding 17 feet of clearance.
“We are finalizing a plan and hope to allow the contractor to begin mobilizing next week,” said Deneatra Henderson, Chief Engineer of KYTC District 2. “We look forward to getting folks back on their regular route and off the detour.”
Jim Smith Contracting will be performing the work for $241,340.
Traffic on KY 81 is routed along a marked detour on KY 554 and U.S. 431. Motorists should use appropriate caution along the detour, and larger vehicles should not attempt to shorten their route by making the turns with Todd Bridge Rd. There are variable message boards along the route to encourage motorists to stay on the marked detour.
Opened to traffic in 1934, the 246-foot structure with a 109-foot main span includes a 6-panel Pratt through-truss design. The Panther Creek Bridge underwent an extensive painting and maintenance project in fall 2018. In August 2019, it was damaged by a truck carrying a load of metal and closed to traffic. The bridge reopened two days prior to Thanksgiving 2019. Approximately 5,200 vehicles cross the bridge each day.
