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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor Beshear ceremonially opens new bridge in Allen County
SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear today presided at a ceremonial opening of a much-anticipated new bridge to carry KY 100 over Trammel Creek in Allen County.
The new span replaces a narrow, often treacherous bridge built during the Roosevelt administration in 1933.
“This much-needed improvement for KY 100 is an example of how our Transportation Cabinet works with local officials to pursue a safe and reliable transportation system for Allen County,” Gov. Beshear said. “The new bridge at Trammel Creek not only preserves a vital connection between Scottsville and Interstate 65; it removes a choke point that has existed for decades on KY 100.”
The old bridge could no longer safely accommodate modern traffic. Approximately 2,100 vehicles travel KY 100 each day. Ten percent are tractor trailers and other commercial trucks.
Due to the narrow width of the old bridge – a mere 19 feet from curb to curb – trucks that met on the bridge risked losing their side mirrors.
“In the past, KY 100 has not met the standards for large tractor trailers,” said state Rep. Wilson Stone, of Scottsville. “Our continued push for improvements to KY 100 will provide the upgrades necessary to meet the federal guidelines regarding 102-inch tractor trailers. The new bridge improves the movement of freight through Allen County and will increase the community's ability to attract industrial development."
State Sen. David Givens, of Greensburg, agreed that improving KY 100 and making it safer is critical to economic development in Allen County. “We must have roads and bridges that meet current design standards in order to safely transport the volumes of commercial traffic doing business here and elsewhere in the Commonwealth,” Sen. Givens said.
The contractor for the project was Charles Deweese Construction Co., which submitted the winning bid of $2.9 million.
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