Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close U.S. 60 in Livingston County between the 14 and 15 mile marker at 7 p.m., tonight.
Ohio River floodwaters are starting to cover one of the travel lanes near the intersection with Ky. 137 (River Road) about 2 miles east of the Cumberland River Bridge at Smithland.
Based on predictions, water is expected to soon be about 2 feet deep along this section of highway. Water is expected to remain at this elevated level through early Thursday with a slow drop after that.
Highway engineers have surveyed this site and determined that it would be both impractical and unsafe to attempt to temporarily raise the level of the roadway to maintain a travel corridor along this section of highway, said Keith Todd, spokesman for the Transportation Cabinet. Lane markers are being placed along the edge of the roadway to allow the National Guard to cross in military vehicles in case of an emergency.
However, due to both the depth and span of water at this site, it will be closed to all traffic starting tonight.
A nearby section of U.S. 60 in Livingston County was elevated using gravel fill to keep the roadway open during the 1997 flood. However, floodwaters are expected to exceed 1997 levels, putting water over several extended areas of U.S. 60.
With river levels expected reach historic high levels and remain elevated for several days, travel will be limited along U.S. 60 and other highways through the Ohio River counties west of Henderson. In many cases, potential detour routes are already covered by floodwaters. Motorists should avoid unnecessary travel.
