As a reminder, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet would like to invite everyone to come join our Bridge Day Event on the New US 68/KY 80 Eggners Ferry Bridge at Aurora from 8:00 a.m., to 12 Noon, on Wednesday, August 31, 2016.
Before the bridge is fully opened to 4-lane traffic, the public will be able to walk along the unopened eastbound lanes of the new bridge. Parking will be at the Fenton Access Area in Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. The new bridge is 1600 ft. long, so bring your walking shoes, some bottled water, and be prepared for a hike.
At 12 noon there will be a brief ribbon cutting ceremony in the center of the bridge. The deck will be then be cleared of pedestrians and the bridge opened to 4-lane traffic around 1:00 p.m.
The event will be similar to the Bridge Day held when the Old Eggners Ferry Bridge reopened after being struck by the Cargo Ship Delta Mariner in 2012.
Trail connections for the multi-use walkway along the bridge are still under construction. There will be a separate opening event for the trail when it is fully finished in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Johnson Brothers Construction, a Southland Company, is the prime contractor on the $133 million New Eggners Ferry Bridge.
Event: Bridge Day Walk
Location: Unopened Lanes of New US 68/KY 80 Eggners Ferry Bridge
Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Time: 8:00 a.m., CDT, to 12 Noon
Parking: Fenton Access Area in LBL
Area law enforcement agencies, Land Between The Lakes, Kenlake State Park, Trigg County Rescue and Marshall County Rescue will be assisting with the event.
The New Eggners Ferry Bridge is a 1600 ft. long basket handle arch design. The New Lake Barkley Bridge under construction at Canton will be of the same design. This will be the only spot on the planet where two basket handle arch bridges are within 9 miles of each other. The New Lake Barkley Bridge has a target opening date in the fall of 2017. For more information on the bridges go to www.lakebridges.com.