(BENTON, Ky.) — Drivers in western Kentucky have two bridge projects to plan around this month, one a new weight restriction in Marshall County and the other a bridge replacement that will shut down a stretch of road in Hardin.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has lowered the load limit to 3 tons on a bridge along KY 1462, also known as Benton-Birmingham Road, in Marshall County. The bridge sits at mile point 0.8, between KY 408/E. 12th Street and KY 1477/Benton Briensburg Road — the route many locals still call Dump Road. Crews have posted signs at both ends of the bridge alerting drivers to the new restriction.
KYTC is asking motorists to check their vehicle’s weight before crossing to make sure it falls within the posted limit. Commercial Driver License holders are reminded that they’re responsible for complying with bridge weight postings, and anyone hauling a heavier load will need to plan an alternate route around the span. No timeline has been given for when the load limit might be reassessed.
Meanwhile, in Hardin, a contractor for KYTC is set to close a section of 4th Street east of KY 1824/Murray Highway starting as early as Thursday, July 9. The closure, between Jeffrey Street and Allison Drive, will allow crews to build a new bridge at mile point 0.1 over Martins Creek.
The City of Hardin was awarded $450,000 for the bridge replacement through the state’s County-City Bridge Improvement Program. The project is expected to wrap up by mid-October, weather permitting, and motorists are asked to find their own detour route in the meantime. On an average day, roughly 154 vehicles travel that section of 4th Street.
