Blast to require short closure of new bridge
PADUCAH, Ky. (December 19, 2023) – Explosive demolition for piers of the Old U.S. 60 Cumberland River “Smithland” Bridge is expected in early January.
Due to the Christmas and New Year holidays, coordination with multiple state and federal agencies required to prepare for the blast is expected to go smoother after the first of the year.
The demolition contractor is continuing to use excavator-mounted jackhammers to weaken the main piers in preparation for final demolition. A crew will drill the piers for explosive placement as a final step before the blast.
To facilitate the blast prep work, motorists traveling the New U.S. 60 Cumberland River Bridge may encounter one-lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by an automated signal during daylight hours from time to time in coming weeks.
Due to the location of the main piers, there will be no public viewing area. However, KYTC District 1 will work with area news media outlets to provide video and photos of the implosion.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), Jim Smith Contracting, and a demolition contractor are continuing to coordinate with Livingston County Emergency Management, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with a final prep meeting to be set a few days before the blast. The weather forecast will play a significant role in the final date.
The contractor will again establish a 1,500 ft. clear zone around the blast site. The public is asked to stay out of the clear zone to avoid delaying the pier detonation.
The New U.S. 60 Cumberland River Bridge will close to traffic for a short time, and the river will be closed to navigation to execute the blast.
KYTC District 1 will provide additional information as plans to take down the piers firm up heading into early January.
Once the piers of the old bridge are taken down, another blast is expected a few weeks later to take out the concrete abutments.
NOTE: Video of the pier prep work is posted at www.Facebook.com/kytcdistrict1. Photos of the prep work can be found below.
