AURORA, Ky. (March 16, 2016) — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) could open the new U.S. 68/KY 80 Eggners Ferry Bridge to two-way traffic as early as the last week of March or first of couple of weeks in April. “This is an important milestone for this project,” said Mike McGregor, District 1 Chief District Engineer. “Moving traffic to the new bridge will provide motorists with a more reliable crossing.” Before moving traffic to the new structure, crews must finish several items including pouring concrete barrier walls as well as inspecting the tensioning of the deck support cables. Once that work is completed, 2-way traffic will then be allowed to shift to the new Eggners Ferry Bridge. Construction of a multi-use path will also continue while the new bridge is open to 2-way traffic. Remaining work is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The existing U.S. 68/KY 80 Eggners Ferry Bridge initially opened to traffic in March 1932. In 1943, the bridge was closed for 6 months to allow the bridge to be raised to accommodate higher water levels due to the impounding of Kentucky Lake. Approximately 3,000 vehicles cross the existing Eggners Ferry Bridge daily. In January 2012, a 322 ft. span of the Eggners Ferry Bridge was struck and knocked into the Kentucky Lake by the Delta Mariner cargo ship. KYTC engineers developed plans to rebuild the missing span and restore traffic to the bridge in 17 weeks. The existing Eggners Ferry Bridge was reopened to traffic in 2012 prior to Memorial Day. Johnson Brothers Corporation of Ft. Worth, TX, is the prime contractor on the $133 million Eggners Ferry Bridge project.
