Two blasts to require short closures of new bridge at 9 a.m. and about 11 a.m.
PADUCAH, Ky. (January 4, 2024) – Explosive demolition for piers of the Old U.S. 60 Cumberland River “Smithland” Bridge has been moved to Saturday morning, January 6, 2024.
The New U.S. 60 Cumberland River Bridge will be closed to traffic for about 20 to 30 minutes to accommodate each of two blasts expected at 9 a.m. and around 11 a.m., CST, Saturday. The demolition contractor will attempt to keep the length of closures on the new bridge as short as possible.
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.
Due to the location of the main piers, there will be no public viewing area for Saturday’s blast. However, KYTC District 1 will work with area news media outlets to provide video and photos of the piers being taken down.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), Jim Smith Contracting, and a demolition contractor are coordinating blast plans with Livingston County Emergency Management, the Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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 blasts on Saturday.
KYTC District 1 will provide additional information on the day of the blasts at www.Facebook.com/KYTCDistrict1.
