Work to rebuild the KY 111 bridge over a branch of Hillsboro Creek in Fleming County has been delayed, and the highway will remain closed longer than anticipated.
Contractors began the KY 111 bridge project in early April at mile marker 7.6 just north of the KY 1515 (Orchard Road) intersection between Poplar Plains and Hillsboro, closing the road to remove the old superstructure and place new steel beams and construct a new concrete driving surface.
Work was expected to take until about May 15. However, design changes were required after the project started, which has added work and time to the contract. The highway is now expected to reopen several weeks later than expected.
Until the bridge is complete, all traffic remains detoured:
-Via KY 158 and KY 32 from Hillsboro through Rowan and Fleming counties for all thru traffic and commercial vehicles. This will be the official detour marked by signs, and will reroute traffic along roads of similar type and weight capacities as KY 111.
-Local traffic may reroute using other routes such as KY 1515, KY 1013, etc. However, those roads will not be marked as detours and are not recommended for commercial or large vehicle traffic.
The project is being done under a $249,674.06 low-bid Transportation Cabinet contract awarded to Frederick and May Construction Company under the Bridging Kentucky Program.
The program is a commitment to improve safety and soundness of the Commonwealth’s bridges by rehabilitating, repairing, or replacing more than 1,000 critical structures in all 120 Kentucky counties over the next six years.
The program will open previously closed structures, improve bridge lifespans and ensure appropriate weight capacities are met, and improve access and mobility for all Kentuckians.
Road work schedules are subject to change depending on weather conditions. Motorists are asked to heed all warning signs, slow down in work zones and remain aware of workers and construction equipment when traveling.
(provided by Kentucky Department of Highways District 9)
