Blue Bridge Traffic Restrictions to Begin Tuesday

It seems there isn't a quadrant of Owensboro that's been untouched by some sort of roadwork or road construction. On Tuesday, we'll add the Blue Bridge to the mix.

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet comes this advisory:

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans a daytime lane restriction on the KY 2262 Ohio River Bridge at Owensboro starting Tuesday, June 17, 2014.

The bridge is also known as the Blue Bridge and the Glover Cary Bridge. The daytime lane restriction with alternating flow is to allow a detailed inspection of the bridge structure.

Motorists can expect to encounter lane restrictions on the Blue Bridge from appoximately 8:15 AM to about 3:15 PM CDT each weekday. The inspection team plans to work extended hours on weekends.

The full-depth inspection is expected to take about 8 to 10 days to complete, weather permitting.

All Kentucky bridges get a detailed inspection every two years with long-span bridges getting an additional walk-through inspection annually.

The 4,622 ft. structure connects KY 2262 and Indiana State Route 161 over the Ohio River at Owensboro. Approximately 7,300 vehicles cross the bridge in an average day. The structure opened to traffic in September 1940 as a toll bridge. The tolls were discontinued in 1954.

The Blue Bridge is at Ohio River navigation mile point 756.3.

Timely traffic advisories for the 11 counties of KYTC Highway District 2 are available by going to www.facebook.com/kydistrict2. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page.