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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor breaks ground for new US 60 bridge over Tennessee River
Four-lane bridge will replace two-lane span built in 1931
PADUCAH, Ky.– Gov. Steve Beshear today broke ground for the final phase of one of the top transportation projects in western Kentucky – construction of a new bridge to carry US 60 over the Tennessee River between McCracken and Livingston counties.
The new bridge – four lanes wide, with a 5-foot shoulder – is at a site a quarter-mile upstream from the two-lane Ledbetter Bridge, which it will replace. The Ledbetter opened in 1931.
“The old bridge is still sturdy, but it’s just not wide enough, and doesn’t have adequate clearance to meet the demands of modern commercial and recreational traffic,” said Gov. Beshear. “The new bridge is critically important to the economy of this region. It will be a boon to any number of industries in this area, as well as to farmers and hundreds of daily commuters.”
The new bridge amounts to a nearly $95 million project. Its main piers have already been constructed at a cost of $28.4 million. The superstructure and additional piers will now be constructed under a separate contract. The venture of Kay and Kay Construction Co./Haydon Bridge Co. submitted the low bid of $66.3 million.
Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has a number of bridges in development, and a new US 60 Tennessee River bridge is one of the most significant. “The new bridge is important for western Kentucky for many reasons, including the fact that it will help connect US 60 and US 62, two of the main routes through the region,” Secretary Hancock said.
Livingston County Judge-Executive Chris Lasher said he speaks for all in his county in saying he is pleased that construction of the new bridge is moving ahead.
“I look for the new bridge to benefit our businesses and help us attract new industries by providing what is basically a four-lane with a straight-shot connection to Interstate 24,” Judge Lasher said. “The old bridge was built for traffic patterns of the 1930s. Traffic has increased, and our vehicles are much wider now, and that just overwhelms the current bridge. The old bridge has served us well, but this new four-lane bridge will create vast new opportunities for our people with improved safety and reliability.”
McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry said the new bridge will have a unifying – and lasting – effect.
“Anytime we can tie the counties together we are all stronger,” Judge Newberry said. “This new bridge will tie Livingston and McCracken counties together even tighter than ever. As an engineer, I love bridges anyway. They are the most under-rated form of public architecture and infrastructure. When I see $95 million being poured into a project like this bridge, it gives me hope because we’ll have something to show for it that will continue to benefit our region 50 and even 75 years from now.”
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