Boat traffic restored on Lower Cumberland River
PADUCAH, Ky. (December 4, 2023) – A demolition contractor has completed efforts to cut up and remove sections of the steel truss of the Old Smithland Bridge from the Cumberland River. The truss of the 92-year-old structure was dropped into the river by explosive demolition on Thursday.
Work to clear the river was completed this morning. The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have completed a sonar scan of the river at the site and determined that the Cumberland River can reopen to boat traffic at navigation mile point 2.7.
One small section of the steel truss remained on the riverbank to be taken apart by land-based demolition equipment.
Removal of the truss has also allowed the New U.S. 60 Cumberland River “Smithland” Bridge to return to normal traffic flow.
Two additional blasts are planned to take down remnants of the old bridge, including the concrete piers and concrete abutments. Weather permitting, the next blast would be around Dec. 15.
