A historic bridge in Kentucky is looking for a new home.
Officials with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) says the Blackford Creek Bridge on Toler Bridge Road at the Hancock-Daviess County Line is scheduled for replacement next year and engineers are looking for a good home for the old bridge, which closed to traffic in October 2018.
KYTC spokesman Keith Todd adds that the bridge was determined as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places by the Kentucky State Historic Preservation Officer in 2011. Constructed around 1919, it is believed to have served an early regional route while what is now US 60 was under construction in the late 1920s.
The agency is seeking to locate a city, county or state government agency, historic preservation organization, or other approved individual or entity interested in having the bridge moved to a new site in Kentucky for preservation and reuse. Engineers note that the 60-foot long, 13.5-foot wide steel bridge would make a great addition to a hiking and biking trail, or as part of a golf course cart path.
The new owner, when chosen, will be responsible for all costs associated with site preparation and re-assembly of the bridge. However, the Federal Highway Association (FHWA) and KYTC can pay all expenses associated with match marking, disassembly, transportation to the new site, and off-loading of the bridge in an amount up to the estimated cost of demolition. Any additional costs the project might bear will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Agencies, organizations, or individuals who have an interest in adopting the historic structure should submit letters of interest and proposals for the bridge before December 1. If no recipient is located or selected, the bridge will be documented to Historic American Engineering Record specifications and demolished.
For more information contact KYTC District 2 Environmental Coordinator Pamela Broadston at 270-824-7980.
