Tied arch design deemed best for new crossing
PADUCAH, Ky. (July 11, 2024) — The U.S. 51 Ohio River Project team shared the design type for a new bridge that will connect Kentucky and Illinois during a public meeting tonight in Cairo, Illinois.
Almost 90 citizens attended the public meeting to get an update on the project aimed at replacing the existing U.S. 51 Ohio River ‘Cairo’ Bridge.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 1 Chief Engineer Kyle Poat noted that a tied arch design was deemed best for the 900 ft. main span of the new structure to help accommodate river navigation.
While some adjustments in the design may be required before it gets to construction, the project team shared renderings of how the new bridge will appear. A highlight of the meeting was an animated video that provided a realistic idea of how the new bridge will look as you drive across it.
The project team also shared a display of right-of-way for owners of property near the site of the new structure.
As the project moves into the final design phase, plans call for the new river crossing to be constructed about 1,000 ft. upstream from the existing U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge.
Project team members were available to answer questions and accept feedback to help with the planning process. All written comments submitted will be reviewed by the project team.
For anyone who was unable to attend the public meeting, displays are available on the project website at www.US51bridge.com.
The project team has started a new round of geotechnical exploration and analysis to aid pier design and in future construction of the new bridge. A lift boat has started drilling to collect data on soil density in the Ohio River where the new bridge will be constructed.
Construction of the new bridge is tentatively scheduled to start in 2028, based on funding availability. Once construction starts, the new bridge is expected to take four to five years to complete.
The existing U.S. 51 Ohio River “Cairo” Bridge between Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill., carries U.S. 51, U.S. 60, and U.S. 62 traffic across the Ohio River at U.S. 51 Kentucky mile point 7.372 and Illinois mile point 0.0. Also known as The Cairo Bridge, it is the longest bridge in Kentucky and the westernmost bridge over the Ohio River.
The existing U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge opened to traffic on Nov 11, 1936. Kentucky and Illinois highway departments took over maintenance of the structure in November 1948 when tolls were removed.
The U.S. 51 Ohio River ‘Cairo’ Bridge is a north-south connector for U.S. 51 and an east-west transportation corridor for U.S. 60 and U.S. 62. The bridge carries about 6,600 vehicles per day between Kentucky and Illinois. About 40 percent of the traffic is commercial trucks.
The existing Wickliffe-Cairo Bridge crosses the Ohio River at navigation mile point 980.4.
Note: Video of tonight’s meeting is available at www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict1
