Graphic by Owensboro Times
The West 5th Street bridge over the U.S. 60 bypass will close today as crews begin permanent repairs to damage caused when the bridge was struck by a vehicle last year.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, a contractor will begin work today to replace a steel bridge beam damaged by a vehicle traveling on U.S. 60 beneath the bridge in April 2025.
The West 5th Street bridge will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the project, which is expected to continue through mid-November. Motorists will need to use alternate routes.
The project will also require overnight closures of U.S. 60 beneath the bridge for three consecutive nights while crews remove the damaged beam.
U.S. 60 will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sept. 18-20, with the final overnight closure ending at 5 a.m. Sept. 21. The closures will affect both directions of U.S. 60 between the Audubon Parkway and KY 81.
KYTC said marked detours will be provided based on motorists’ destinations.
Eastbound Audubon Parkway traffic heading toward Owensboro may remain on the parkway and take the U.S. 60 westbound ramp toward KY 331/2nd Street. Drivers may also exit the parkway at KY 1554 in Sorgo and follow KY 56 to KY 81.
Westbound U.S. 60 traffic should exit at KY 81/West Parrish Avenue. Drivers heading toward Henderson may follow KY 81 west to KY 56, then take KY 1554 to the Audubon Parkway. Those continuing toward U.S. 60 west may follow KY 81 to Frederica Street, travel north to 2nd Street, and reconnect with U.S. 60.
Another overnight closure of U.S. 60 will be required when crews install the new beam. That date has not yet been determined, though KYTC said the closure hours and detours are expected to be the same.
The bridge reopened to two-way traffic in August 2025 following temporary repairs that allowed it to remain in use while engineers developed a permanent repair plan. The current project will replace the damaged steel beam and restore the bridge to its original condition.
KYTC reminded motorists to use caution in the work zone and allow additional time for travel. The schedule is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
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