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Jesse Stuart Memorial Bridge Repairs Start April 12

Bunkerblast

If your daily drive involves the Jesse Stuart Memorial Bridge (KY 10) across the locks and dam in Greenup County, you might want to rethink your route the next couple of months.

Beginning Monday, April 12, contractors will restrict the Ohio River crossing to one-lane so old expansion joints can be safely replaced, which will mean traffic delays.

The joints – important components that allow the bridge to expand and contract with temperature changes – have deteriorated over the years, causing potholes and rough driving conditions across the structure’s concrete surface.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has awarded an $857,589.49 low-bid contract to M&M Services Co. Inc. to remove existing joints, install new ones and repair the concrete pavement.

During construction, temporary traffic signals will be placed on each side of the bridge to route traffic into one lane to cross the river between US 23 in Kentucky and US 52 in Ohio.

The bridge will remain one lane and signals will operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week until work is complete, which is expected by mid-June.

Because the one-lane work zone could extend across the entire bridge, it is likely wait times at signals will be lengthy – from 3 to 9 minutes, or longer depending on amount traffic. Motorists can seek alternate routes between Ohio and Kentucky, if possible, using bridges at Ashland, Russell or Portsmouth, Ohio, to avoid the wait.

In addition, no overweight or over-dimensional commercial traffic will be permitted across the bridge during construction.

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.

(story provided by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
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