Department of Highways, District 10
Transportation Cabinet seeks new home for historic Glomawr Bridge in Perry County

JACKSON, KY – Once again, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is looking for a new Kentucky home for an old Kentucky bridge.

Beginning next year, the state plans to replace an aging bridge carrying KY 451 over the North Fork of the Kentucky River near Glomawr in Perry County with a modern span. The existing bridge, a Parker truss bridge, was built in 1927 and has been deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge is approximately 270 feet long with two 9.5-foot driving lanes.

In order to make room for the new bridge, the old one must be demolished. Rather than see this piece of history disappear, the cabinet and the Federal Highway Administration are seeking a new owner within Kentucky for the bridge.

A program is in place through the Federal Highway Administration, State Historic Preservation Office and KYTC to allow government agencies, historic preservation organizations or individuals to re-erect the bridge if its original characteristics are retained at the new site. Historic organizations and individuals must be approved by the state historic preservation officer to be eligible for the program.

Under the program, KYTC and FHWA will pay the costs of marking parts of the bridge, disassembling it, transporting it to the new site, and off-loading it. The recipient is responsible for all other costs, including site preparation, reassembly, replacement of parts suitable for the proposed use at the new location and construction of approaches. The recipient also becomes responsible for maintenance, liability and permits associated with the bridge.

Possible uses for the bridge include becoming part of a walking or bicycling trail in a city or county park, or being used by a property owner as a unique stream crossing for a private driveway.

“The last time we advertised a bridge in Perry County for relocation, we received inquiries from all across the United States as well as internationally,” said Jeff Allen, environmental coordinator for the Department of Highways District 10 in Jackson, who oversees the bridge relocation program for the district. “The costs for moving the bridge such a long distance are prohibitive and impractical. Therefore, we are seeking in-state applicants for the possible relocation of the Glomawr bridge.”

Eligible recipients can request additional information from Allen at the District 10 office located at 473 Highway 15 South, Jackson, by writing him at P.O. Box 621, Jackson, KY 41339, by emailing him at jeff.allen@ky.gov or by calling him at (606) 666-8841. Letters of interest and written proposals for relocation of the bridge will be accepted until Aug. 13.

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