New bridge to restore connection at Graves, McCracken Co. line | News

GRAVES COUNTY, KY (KFVS) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says a new bridge on KY 1241, which crosses Mayfield Creek in the Leeder Bottom area of Graves County, is expected to open for traffic Friday, November 9.

KY 1241 (Old U.S. 45) has been closed at the site since April 26, 2011, when bridge inspectors found a pier had dropped several inches during heavy spring flooding. Engineers originally hoped to repair the aging bridge, which was built in 1927, but motorists continued to drive around barricades to cross the structure. Continued use of the weakened structure contributed to its eventual collapse on June 26, 2011. The old bridge was removed, and work on a new bridge started June 11.

“We’re pleased that this important transportation connection has been restored for residents of the Melber area and northern Graves County,” said Jim LeFevre, chief district engineer for Department of Highways District 1, in Paducah. “Our contractor recognized the urgency of this project and committed appropriate resources to keep the project on schedule.”

Loss of the bridge forced a four-mile detour for motorists traveling between Melber in Graves County and St. Johns in McCracken County.

The KYTC District 1 Design Section received the William S. Gulick Project Excellence Award at the ACEC-KY/KYTC Partnering Conference in Louisville.  The award was given for its quick response to the task of designing a replacement for the KY 1241 bridge after the wash-out and continued use collapsed it in 2011.

“This project moved ahead rather quickly due to the dedication of Design Engineer Susan Oatman and the KYTC District 1 design staff – Kara Wilson, Carlton Watkins, Eric Ortt, Tommy Case and Jeff Sutton,” LeFevre said.

Jim Smith Contracting is the prime contractor on the $803,616 project. The Mayfield Creek Bridge is at KY 1241, mile point 10.112, just south of the Graves-McCracken county line near the intersection with KY 1820.

Due to construction personnel continuing landscaping, guardrail installation and other finish work at the site, KYTC engineers urge drivers to avoid crossing the new bridge until all work is complete. The new bridge is expected to be ready for traffic sometime on Friday.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.