The replacement of the Butler Branch Bridge in Lewis County is currently underway.
Judge-Executive Todd Ruckel said he received an update during a regular meeting of the Lewis County Fiscal Court recently that the bridge is "coming along very well."
Ruckel said the replacement may be completed within the next two weeks.
The bridge, which is being replaced by E and E Construction, sits on Butler Branch Road, off Laurel Road, and has been in desperate need of work for some time, according to Ruckel.
During a December meeting of the fiscal court, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet representative Larry Tincher said the bridge was in terrible condition and not safe for travel.
"I would not ride my bike across it. It's not safe for anyone to be on,” said Tincher.
County Road Supervisor Bob Moore said there were several issues with the bridge, including the decking, beams and abutments.
"The decking is bad, the beams are bad. Pretty much everything is wrong with the bridge,” said Moore.
During the meeting, officials voted to declare a state of emergency and close the bridge through traffic. By doing so, they were able to apply for emergency road aid funds. The county was awarded $39,900, with the total cost of the replacement being $44,800.
Ruckel said the remainder of the costs will be taken care of through in-kind labor.
"We will use some of our own labor, trucks, etc. Hopefully that will help cover the remaining costs. And we're excited to get this project moving. It's something we've needed to do for a long time and I hope to see it completed soon,” said Ruckel.
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