Repairing the damaged Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge (US 62) in downtown Maysville will require temporary daytime closures of the Ohio River crossing next week so Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews can conduct further engineering analysis.
Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 13, the US 62 bridge will close to all traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The closure will continue each day for several days, possibly through Friday, Aug. 16. When the bridge is closed, traffic should detour using the William H. Harsha Bridge (US 68) three miles west of Maysville to connect between Kentucky and US 52 or US 62 in Ohio.
The closures are required so that engineers can perform an extensive review of damaged hanger cables – the vertical cables extending from the main suspension cable that support the bridge’s driving surface – and other bridge components. Crews will also take measurements for component replacements that might be needed.
The work is the first step in drafting repair plans that will restore the Simon Kenton bridge to a more normal weight limit.
On July 29, following inspections that revealed damage to the bridge’s cable suspension system, the weight limit was lowered to 3 tons for all vehicles crossing the bridge to ensure continued traffic safety and to prevent further bridge damage.
It’s the Transportation Cabinet’s goal to make repairs as quickly as possible, and keep the bridge open until that’s complete. However, if the new weight limit is not obeyed, the bridge will have to be closed. The Cabinet asks for the public’s assistance in following the new weight limit.
Authorities on both sides of the river – Kentucky State Police, Ohio Highway Patrol, Maysville Police Department, and others – will be enforcing the weight limit. All prohibited vehicles, which includes most vehicles other than passenger cars and trucks, should detour using the William H. Harsha Bridge (US 68).
(provided by Kentucky Department of Highways District 9)
