As a reminder, a contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close
the existing US68/KY 80 Lake Barkley Bridge at Canton in Trigg County starting
Tuesday, February 14, 2017.
The US 68/KY 80 Lake Barkley Bridge at Canton is expected to close promptly at 9
a.m, CST, on Tuesday, February 14th, and remain closed for up to 48 hours to allow
placement of the main arch span on the New Lake Barkley Bridge under construction
just downstream from the existing bridge. If all goes as planned, the bridge is
expected to reopen to traffic by about 9 a.m., CST, on Thursday, February 16th.
US 68/KY 80 traffic will be detoured via Interstate 24, the Purchase Parkway, and US
641. This will add about 26 minutes of driving time or 35 miles to a trip between
Cadiz and Murray.
In addition to closing the existing US 68/KY 80 Lake Barkley Bridge to vehicular
traffic for up to 48 hours, commercial tow boat traffic and pleasure boat traffic on
Lake Barkley will also be halted for up to 72 hours.
There will be a 2000 ft clear zone around the work area during placement of the 550
ft. basket handle steel arch.
The existing US 68/KY 80 Lake Barkley Bridge is at U.S. 68 mile point 8.56 in Trigg
County and serves as the eastern entrance to Land Between The Lakes National
Recreation Area. The bridge is at Cumberland River navigation mile point 63.1.
The move will require winds below 15 miles per hour. The contractor, KYTC engineers,
and the U.S. Coast Guard will have a final go/no-go meeting on Tuesday morning to
determine if placement of the arch can proceed as planned. If weather is favorable,
officials will put the following plans into motion for Feb. 14:
* U.S. Coast Guard will close the navigational channel at 7:00 a.m., CST, for up
to 72 hours
* Starting at 7:00 a.m., CST, the arch will be moved next to the main piers
* KYTC will close U.S. 68 promptly at 9:00 a.m. CST for up to 48 hours
* A 2,000-foot clear zone will be established around the work site
* U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency agencies will assist with water patrols
* KYTC personnel and area police agencies will assist with security for the work
site
* Raising the arch into place above the navigation channel expected to take 10
to 14 hours
The public is asked o be respectful of private property along the eastern shoreline
of Lake Barkley at Canton. The best opportunity for the public to view the arch
placement is in the Land Between The Lakes along the downstream shoreline from the
new bridge.
Observers are asked to park so as to avoid blocking access to the work site, avoid
blocking access to LBL facilities on the western shoreline, and avoid blocking
access to private property on the Canton side of the lake. Lawn chairs and possibly
a fishing pole are recommended as this will be an all-day project.
KYTC will be posting updates and photos as work progresses through the day at
www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict1<http://www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict1>. You do not
have to be a Facebook member to access this page. The public may also monitor
placement of the arch via construction cams at
www.lakebridges.com<http://www.lakebridges.com>.
PCL Civil Construction of Denver is the prime contractor on the $128.3 million
project. The new bridge is expected to be ready for 2-lane traffic sometime in the
Spring of 2018 with finish work on the new bridge continuing through 2018.