Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray says the Brent Spence Bridge connecting northern Kentucky with Ohio is still scheduled to re-open next week.
The heavily traveled crossing was closed in mid-November following a fiery crash involving two trucks. Gray says a re-opening of traffic on the bridge prior to December 23rd is not being suggested. “There are still a number of things that have to be done to complete the project, to button it up. And we’re taken advantage of this time for the maintenance work as I described as well. So, I’m not going to predict that we’re going to accelerate the deadline or the 23rd at this point in time,” said Gray.
While the Brent Spence is vehicle free, Gray said the traffic signage on the lower level of the bridge is being cleaned as well as some re-paving leading up to the crossing and some drainage work.
Project Manager Bog Yeager said the plan is to open up the flow, one lane at a time. “We’ll start from the beginning of the closure and then work our way back until finally everything is gone. So, traffic will sort of filter through. We really don’t want to do the checkered flag kind of thing and get everybody going through at the same time,” explained Yeager.
Yeager noted the primary emphasis is to facilitate the re-opening safely and as soon as possible. Gray added there are no plans to accelerate the re-opening before next Wednesday.?
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