Work on U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge delayed

CAIRO, Ill. -- A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has asked to delay the start of repairs on the U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill., until after July 7. The project will require a 7-foot maximum load width, which will exclude all but passenger vehicles from the river crossing for about 60 days. Also known as the Cairo Bridge, the span carries U.S. 60 and U.S. 62 between Kentucky and Illinois. It immediately connects with the U.S. 60/U.S. 62 Mississippi River Bridge, which carries traffic between Illinois and Missouri. According to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1 spokesman Keith Todd, the agency wants truckers and suppliers who depend on the river crossing to be fully prepared for the coming project that will require trucks and other larger vehicles to detour. Todd said the contractor would provide about a one-week notice of a specific start date for the restrictions, but July 7 would be the earliest work could start. The project includes bridge deck stringer repairs, as well as replacement of seven joints on the bridge decking.

All work is weather permitting. Work zones will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near those areas. For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636, or visit modot.org/southeast.

-- From the Missouri Department of Transportation