PADUCAH, Ky. (October 30, 2023) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), Jim Smith Contracting, and a demolition sub-contractor have moved the explosive demolition of the Old U.S. 60 Cumberland River Bridge at Smithland to later in November.
The arrival of a barge mounted crane to be used to retrieve sections of the steel truss after explosives drop it into the Cumberland River has been delayed beyond Nov. 2. That has moved the tentative demolition date to November 16 or 27 – the week before or after Thanksgiving.
A final date will be determined in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, with weather conditions being a final factor. Meanwhile, prep work for the demolition is nearing completion.
As the demolition date approaches, a sub-contractor will cut key locations on the main truss before placing explosives on the structure. The explosives crew plans to take down the truss and approach spans at the same time.
While times could change, the explosive demolition of the old bridge will require the new bridge to be closed from approximately 9 a.m., to 11:30 a.m. on the day of the blast. Commercial tow boat and pleasure boat traffic will be halted for about 24 hours on the Cumberland River. There will be a 1,500 ft. clear zone around the blast site that will be strictly enforced.
Plans include a public observation area at the Livingston County Fairgrounds on the day of the blast.
Once this initial blast has taken down the main truss and approach spans, two additional blasts will be scheduled at about two-week intervals to take down the concrete piers and demolish concrete abutments.
