Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge

The Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge is a suspension bridge built in 1931 that carries U.S. Route 62 across the Ohio River to connect Maysville, Kentucky with Aberdeen, Ohio. Its main span is 1,060 feet (320 meters) long, and the total length of the bridge is 1,991 feet (607 meters). The bridge was designed by Modjeski and Masters and was open to traffic on November 25, 1931. Tolls were collected from the opening of the bridge until 1945.

Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge
Taken from the Kentucky side
Coordinates38.649933°N 83.759626°W / 38.649933; -83.759626
CrossesOhio River
LocaleMaysville, Kentucky and Aberdeen, Ohio
Maintained byKentucky Transportation Cabinet
Characteristics
DesignSuspension bridge
Total length607 meters (1,991 feet)
Longest span323 meters (1,060 feet)
History
Construction cost$1.6 million[1]
Opened1931
ClosedFor traffic over 15-tons[2]
Location

The bridge was closed for rehabilitation in 2003 and 2004 after the William H. Harsha Bridge was completed. URS Corp. prepared the rehabilitation plans which consisted of a deck replacement, structural steel repairs, a new inspection walkway, and a new handrail on the main spans. The bridge was painted and returned to its original color, silver. It was rumored that the bridge was painted green during World War II to help 'disguise' it from air attacks. National Engineering and Contracting Company completed the construction and painting for the rehabilitation at a cost of $5.7 million.

In July 2019, The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet ordered a 3-ton weight limit placed on the bridge after a routine inspection found significant safety hazards with the cable suspension system.[3] In November 2019, the bridge was closed due to corrosion in the suspension cable connectors.[4] The bridge is expected to be repaired and put back in service by April 15, 2020.[5] As of May 21, 2020, the bridge remained closed after an inspection of the cable repairs determined that the bridge needed rust-proofing. [6]

On June 12, 2020, the bridged reopened for traffic with a 15-ton weight restriction after being closed for nearly 6-months so a short-term fix could be done to reduce stress on 19 damaged cables and rust coated. The bridge is expected to undergo major rehabilitation work in the future, including replacing all cables.[2][7]


References
  1. "Kentucky, Ohio teams doing bridge inspections". Maysville-online.com. 2012-09-18. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  2. Hitchcock, Paul. "Downtown Maysville Bridge (US 62) Reopening Planned for Today". www.wmky.org. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  3. Independent, Ledger (29 July 2019). "Weight limit reduced on Simon Kenton bridge". Ledger Independent – Maysville Online. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  4. Independent, Ledger (20 November 2019). "Bridge closing has huge impact for area". Ledger Independent – Maysville Online. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  5. Hitchcock, Paul. "Repairs to start March 16 on downtown Maysville bridge (US 62) cabling". www.wmky.org. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  6. Carpenter, Mark (21 May 2020). "Simon Kenton Bridge reopening delayed, pending final rust-proofing". People's Defender. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  7. Independent, Ledger (13 June 2020). "SK Bridge open with weight restrictions". Ledger Independent – Maysville Online. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
Aerial view of the bridge


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