Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray says that the Brent Spence Bridge is slated to open one day early...today.
Starting today, Dec. 22 — "this afternoon," said Gray — instead of Dec. 23, the bridge will reopen to traffic.
"It's been 41 days since the fire on the bridge itself and in that time, this work has been accomplished. It's been accomplished quickly, but it's been accomplished safely, and that is exactly what Gov. Beshear instructed me to do from the very beginning," Gray said.
"So we are delivering today on a promise — a promise to return to the public a fully repaired, a still strong and sturdy Brent Spence Bridge."
Gray said cars, trucks and other vehicles will be able to traverse the bridge before the end of the day.
"The Brent Spence Bridge is a crucial link in our interstate system for our states and for the country," said Gov. Beshear in a recorded message about the reopening. "Thousands of people and goods cross the Ohio River every day. It was paramount that the bridge be repaired and reopened quickly but with safety driving every decision. There could be no corner-cutting."
"The reopening of the Brent Spence Bridge is a welcome Christmas gift to everyone this season," he continued.
Gray said the cost of the repair should be "significantly less" than originally estimated. Federal emergency funding allotted $12 million for the project, and Gray said the repairs may come in at half that.
After the crews finishing painting lane stripes (they started around noon), they'll begin gradually adjusting the traffic patterns to allow for access to the bridge.
At roughly 2:45 a.m. on Nov. 11, a commercial truck jackknifed while driving northbound (lower) on the Brent Spence Bridge. A second truck, which was carrying potassium hydroxide, crashed into that vehicle. The wreck caused a massive fire which damaged both the lower and upper decks of the bridge, closing it to traffic for repairs to be completed.
The original repair plans, available at brentspencerepair.com, list the main fixes as:
- Replacing a section of the concrete as well as some of the support beams on the upper deck that carries southbound traffic from Ohio to Kentucky;
- Replacing a section of the concrete on the lower deck that carries northbound traffic from Kentucky to Ohio;
- Repairing electrical and drainage systems on the bridge
