The new U.S. 60 Tennessee River Bridge at Ledbetter may be ready for two-lane traffic by the middle of next week.
The four-lane bridge was originally scheduled to open one year from now. Highway officials say the contracting team devised a way to get the bridge partially opened to aid commuters and commerce in Livingston and McCracken counties.
The new bridge replaces the two-lane Ledbetter Bridge, which was built 82 years ago. Deterioration of the old bridge forced KYTC to impose a 3-ton load limit and prompted the decision to accelerate completion of the new bridge.
If the new bridge is opened to two-lane travel by August 1, the contractor will collect about $2 million in incentives.
Department of Highways engineer Jim LeFevre said the new bridge could be fully open, with all four traffic lanes, by late fall or early spring.
