Bridge Planned for Friday, April 12

9 a.m., to 2 p.m., closure for inspection and maintenance

PADUCAH, Ky. (April 9, 2024) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans to close the U.S. 45 Ohio River “Brookport” Bridge for about 5 hours on Friday, April 12, 2024.

The U.S. 45 Ohio River “Brookport” Bridge will close promptly at 9 a.m., CDT, on Friday, to allow an annual walk-through inspection of the bridge structure.  To avoid the need for additional closures, KYTC personnel also plan minor maintenance work on the bridge and roadway approach, and the City of Brookport will perform manhole maintenance at the Illinois end of the bridge.

The Brookport Bridge is expected to reopen to traffic around 2 p.m., on Friday.

Motorists may self-detour via the Interstate 24 Ohio River Bridge.

KYTC District 1 will attempt to provide a timely update should the bridge reopen to traffic earlier than expected.

As a reminder, the Brookport Bridge has a 15-ton load limit.  Due to the bridge deck width, it is restricted to vehicles no more than 8 feet wide and has a 9 ft.-6 in. vehicle height restriction, which prohibits most commercial trucks and prohibits all SEMI/STAA Trucks.  Farm equipment and permitted loads of any kind are prohibited from crossing the structure.

Also known as the Irvin S. Cobb Bridge, the U.S. 45 Ohio River Bridge is at McCracken County mile point 12.882.

The 10-span bridge carries just over 6,000 vehicles across the Ohio River each day between Paducah, KY, and Brookport, IL.

The 5,385 ft. structure at Ohio River navigation mile point 937.3 was opened to traffic in 1929.