To assist with efforts to get a smooth surface on the bridge, traffic will be slowed to about 20 miles per hour from about 10 p.m. Friday through about 5 a.m. Saturday. Depending on progress, similar delays are possible on Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Traffic may be halted at times to allow concrete trucks to access the work area making delays likely.
Traffic in this work zone is restricted to one lane and a 10-foot maximum load width to allow a latex concrete overlay on the bridge deck driving surface.
Motorists should be alert for one-lane traffic in this work zone with alternating flow controlled by an automated signal. Delays of five to 10 minutes are likely, particularly during the movement and placement of equipment for these overnight concrete pours and finishing work. Commuters traveling the bridge between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Friday night and Saturday night should add additional travel time.
American Contracting and Services of Jeffersonville, Indiana, is the prime contractor on the $2.7 million bridge deck overlay project. The contractor has 90 days to complete the project, putting the anticipated completion date around Sept. 27.
The Shawneetown Bridge connects Ky. 56 (Morganfield-Shawneetown Road) with Ill. Route 13 across the Ohio River between Morganfield, Ky., and Shawneetown, Ill. About 3,800 vehicles cross the bridge in an average day.
The 3,200-foot structure opened to traffic in 1956, maintaining a historic transportation link that started with ferry service at the site as early as 1802.
