Daviess County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is undertaking a comprehensive six-month rehabilitation of the Glover Cary Bridge, known locally as the Blue Bridge, in downtown Owensboro The bridge expected to reopen to traffic on January 16: (Owensboro) Messenger-Inquirer: KYTC: Blue Bridge on target for Jan. 16 reopeningKYTC: Blue Bridge on target for Jan. 16 reopening (Dec. 29, 2025) 

Some historical information form the Department of Highways District 2 about the renumbering of the route carried by the Glover Cary Bridge in downtown Owensboro (dated Sept. 20, 2011):

‘Blue Bridge’ in Owensboro gets route number change
It closed as KY 2155 Ohio River Bridge, to reopen as KY 2262 Ohio River Bridge

OWENSBORO, Ky. – The KY 2155 Ohio River Bridge – known locally as the “Blue Bridge” and the Glover Cary Bridge in downtown Owensboro – is closed for a deck rehabilitation project.  When it reopens, the bridge will have a new route designation.  It will become the KY 2262 Ohio River Bridge.

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The bridge over the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro will be temporarily closed during a festival in the city from September 11th to the 13th. The press release from the Department of Highways includes some facts and figures regarding the bridge that once carried US 231 into Indiana:

Traffic ADVISORY

The City of Owensboro has a permit to temporarily halt traffic on the KY 2262 Ohio River “Blue” Bridge at specific times for a Bridge Day celebration and the Owensboro Air Show on September 11, 12 and 13, 2015.

The KY 2262 Ohio River “Blue” Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic at the following times:

Friday, September 11^th

2:00 p.m., CDT, to 4:00 p.m.- Air Show Practice

Saturday, September 12^th

8:00 a.m., CDT, to 4:30 p.m.- Bridge Day & Air Show

Sunday, September 13^th

2:30 p.m., CDT, to 4:30 p.m.- Air Show

The City of Owensboro will provide appropriate roadway signage notifying the driving public of the bridge closure.

For additional info on festival activities planned this weekend in Owensboro go tohttps://www.owensboro.org/post/bridge-closure-for-air-show-weekend.

Also known as The Blue Bridge and the Glover Cary Bridge, the 4,622 ft. structure connects KY 2262 and Indiana State Route 161 over the Ohio  River at Owensboro. Approximately 7,300 vehicles cross the Ohio River on the Blue Bridge between Kentucky and Indiana in an average day.  The structure opened to traffic in September 1940 as a toll bridge.  The tolls were discontinued in 1954.

The Blue Bridge is at Ohio River navigation mile point 756.3.

Tolls are set to be lifted on the William H. Natcher Parkway and Audubon Parkway, Kentucky’s last two remaining toll roads, in the states fiscal year 2007, which begins July 1, 2006. The exact date that tolls will be lifted has yet to have been established: Lexington Herald-Leader: Last 2 Kentucky toll parkways set to be freed up (Dec. 24, 2005) 

Work to repair corrosion on the US 60 Spottsville Bridge over the Green River between Henderson and Daviess Counties has been presented: Henderson Gleaner: Spottsville Bridge work completed (Dec. 21, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently presented proposed alternatives for rebuilding and extending the eastern end of the Owensboro bypass: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Bypass extension plans to be displayed; Affected property shown for 3.4-mile project (Dec. 8, 2005) , Messenger-Inquirer: Residents along bypass extension route get look at plan (Dec. 9, 2005) 

Traffic will be restricted to one lane on the US 60 bridge over the Green River beginning Monday. An inspection of the bridge in September found an unexpected amount of corrosion. Work to correct the issue is expected to be complete Dec. 21. A 15-ton weight limit remains in effect on the bridge: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Bridge reduced to one lane beginning Monday (Nov. 11, 2005) 

Daviess County planning officials are reconsidering the idea of an “outer boulevard” that would connect to the county from east-to-west and bypass Owensboro: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Panel's taking new look at outer boulevard plan; Proposed loop road has gone nowhere for 3 decades (Nov. 7, 2005) 

Work began this week to rehabilitate the south bound lanes of the William H. Natcher Parkway in Daviess County. Work will continue through September 2006. Travelers should expect to encounter lane closures.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Natcher Parkway rehab begins this week (Nov. 2, 2005) 

Weight limits have been lowered on the US 60 Spottsville Bridge over the Green River after some rusting was found during a recent inspection: The Henderson Gleaner: Spottsville span gets new limits (Sept. 24, 2005) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Weight restriction put on Spottsville bridge (Sept. 27, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is considering replacing the intersection of KY 56 and KY 81 south of Owensboro with a traffic circle (also known as a roundabout): Evansville Courier & Press: Traffic circle eyed for Owensboro's South Side (Sept. 19, 2005) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Transportation officials to discuss roundabout (Sept. 24, 2005) 

State Legislator Representative Brent Yonts (D, 15th District)  has begun a campaign to have US 431 widened to four lanes from Owensboro to the Tennessee state line: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Yonts pushing for four-laning of U.S. 431 (Sept. 16, 2005) 

A Kentucky Transportation Cabinet salt storage dome in Daviess County was struck by lightning: WPSD NewsChannel 6: Kentucky: Lightning Hits Salt Dome (June 10, 2005) 

In February, Sen. Mitch McConnell presented Owensboro officials with a ceremonial $5 million check to pay for construction of the city’s Riverwall; however, that was last time city saw any money from the federal grant. The money was given to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and has yet to find its way to Owensboro.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Riverwall project may be delayed; $5 million in promised federal funding has yet to show up (June 7, 2005) 

Budget concerns in Indiana may delay a project to widen US 231 in Southern Indiana from the Natcher Bridge to I-64. The priority of unstarted highway projects has been under review since Gov. Mitch Daniels took office in January. Under the revised 10-year plan the US 231 widening project might be delayed until 2014.

Local leaders (including officials from Daviess County in Kentucky) met with Indiana’s Gov. Mitch Daniels last week and were assured that while the project would be delayed, it would not be delayed until 2014.

More information: Evansville Courier&Press: Officials upset over potential U.S. 231 delays (May 4, 2005) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: U.S. 231 expansion on hold (May 4, 2005) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Officials: U.S. 231 expansion project back on track (May 12, 2005) 

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer takes a look at unique county road names; names like Muddy Gut Road, Rattlesnake Hill Road, and Possum Trot Road: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Name Game; Tywhoppity? Muddy Gut Road? What's in a name? (Feb. 27, 2005) 

An east extension of the US 60 Bypass around Owensboro has been identified as Owensboro’s top transportation priority by the Owensboro-Daviess County Urban Area Transportation's technical advisory committee. Construction on the project to extend the bypass toward the Natcher Bridge is expected to begin in 2008 and be completed by 2011.

The committee also rejected the idea of widening Frederica Street (US 431) to six lanes.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Panel rules out six-laning Frederica (Feb. 23, 2005) 

Daviess County Judge-Executive Reid Haire would like to see an new interstate-grade outer loop constructed around Owensboro: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Haire pushes 'outer loop'; Road would connect I-69, I-66 spurs (Feb. 20, 2005) 

The Green River Area Development District’s regional transportation committee gave unanimous support for the undertaking of a federally funded study to determine the cost of reconstructing the Audubon Parkway as a spur route from the proposed Interstate 69 east of Henderson. The Owensboro Chamber of Commerce believes that an interstate designation for the parkway would make Owensboro more attractive to industrial developers.

More information: Henderson Gleaner: Owensboro pushing to make Audubon Parkway into I-69 spur (Jan. 20, 2005) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: GRADD committee endorses Audubon Parkway study (Jan. 20, 2005) 

Higher temperatures during the day may have melted some of the ice and snow along Kentucky’s highways; however, falling temperatures during nights is causing some of it to refreeze. Refreezing made parts of the Western Kentucky Parkway and Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway impassible Christmas night: Associated Press: State asks drivers to avoid western Kentucky parkways (Dec. 26, 2004) , Associated Press: Motorist should use caution traveling (Dec. 26, 2004) 

Current information regarding highway conditions can be found at: www.511.ky.gov .

On Christmas Day, snow and ice remained in the travel lanes of I-65 in several places. In the Louisville area, a number of abandoned vehicles remained along the shoulders and, in some cases, the travel lanes of I-65 and the Watterson Expressway. Secondary routes in both Warren and Jefferson County were still snow and ice covered; as were many of the ramps entering and leaving I-65.

Cleanup continued through Friday on I-24: Associated Press: Kentuckians continue to dig out of holiday snow (Dec. 24, 2004) , Associated Press: Kentuckians continue to dig out of snow (Dec. 24, 2004) , Associated Press: State making progress on western Kentucky roads (Dec. 25, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Some still without power, roads cleared (Dec. 25, 2004) 

The Maysville area recovered quickly from the storm: Maysville Ledger Independent: White Christmas more shiny than fluffy; road crews scramble (Dec. 24, 2004) 

Several accidents were reported on I-71 near mile marker 58 in Gallatin County: Associated Press: Cold keeps its hold on state (Dec. 25, 2004) 

Improving conditions allowed shoppers to return the stores on Christmas Eve in Owensboro: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Shoppers are back on track; Improving road conditions send residents heading to stores (Dec. 25, 2004) 

Summary of snow response in Henderson County: The Henderson Gleaner: Most crews stay busy helping folks, clearing roadways (Dec. 25, 2004) 

Problems continued on I-64 and I-65 in Indiana through Friday: The Jeffersonville (Ind.) Evening News: Snow freezes region; state of emergency declared (Dec. 24, 2004) , Associated Press: Some Roads Reopening After Record Snow (Dec. 24, 2004) , Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press: A long stranded trip (Dec. 24, 2004) , New Albany (Ind.) Tribune: City struggles to keep streets clear as snow piles up (Dec. 24, 2004) , Associated Press: Interstates reopen to travelers in Midwest (Dec. 25, 2004) , Evansville Courier & Press: Snow gives travelers tales to tell (Dec. 25, 2004) , Associated Press: Some Indiana highways remained slick but passable after snow (Dec. 25, 2004) , Associated Press: Indiana highways slick but passable (Dec. 26, 2004) 

Paducah area information: WPSD NewsChannel 6: UPDATE: Major Roads Now Open (Dec. 24, 2004) 

More information: Associated Press: Warmth aids road crews (Dec. 25, 2004) 

Wrecks caused backups on I-71 and I-24 and summary of snow response statewide: Associated Press: Winter storm coats parts of Kentucky with snow, ice (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Winter Storm Coats Much Of Kentucky With Snow, Ice (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Summary of snow response in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Kentucky and Ohio counties declare weather emergencies (Dec. 23, 2004) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Now, time to dig out (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Snow response in the Glasgow area: Glasgow Daily Times: Winter storm hits Kentucky (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Motorists became stranded on part of the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway near Hopkinsville: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Storm paralyzes region (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Gov. Fletcher has declared a state of emergency in the following counties and cities: McLean, Hancock, Livingston, Hopkins, City of Providence, City of Owensboro, City of Falmouth, City of Butler, Todd, Daviess, Crittenden, Carlisle, Shelby, Muhlenberg, Pendleton, Bullitt and Grayson: WAVE 3: Governor Ernie Fletcher's Office Declares State of Emergency (Dec. 23, 2004) 

I-64 in Indiana remains closed between Evansville and the Illinois state line. The National Guard has been rescuing stranded motorists along the interstate: Associated Press: Guardsmen Rescuing Travelers Stranded On Southern Indiana Highway (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Stranded travelers recall cold night on snowbound highway (Dec. 23, 2004) , Associated Press: Snow Storm Snarls Much Of Southern, Central Indiana (Dec. 23, 2004) , Evansville Courier & Press: Indiana National Guardsmen rescue stranded motorists from Interstate 64 (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Current Conditions

Information regarding conditions on Kentucky’s highway can be obtained by calling 1-800-RDREPORT, by calling 511 from an in-state telephone, or by visiting ww.511.ky.gov .

Maps of roads that will be cleared by the state government can be found at: www.kytc.state.ky.us/maintenance/Snow_Ice.htm .

Several sections of Owensboro’s David C. Adkisson Greenbelt Park walking and biking trail are open and others are nearing completion. The trail will eventually include a bridge over Frederica Street (US 431)—a project that is expected to cost around $1 million.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Greenbelt trail growing (Dec. 13, 2004) 

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce would like to see studies to determine the feasibility of upgrading to the Audubon and Natcher Parkways to Interstate spur routes. The Audubon Parkway would be a spur route off of the proposed I-69 in Henderson County, and the Natcher Parkway would be a spur route off of I-65 in Warren County.

While most of the parkway system consists of four-lane divided limited access highways, most of the parkway system does not meet modern interstate standards. Among the problems are medians that are too narrow, shoulders that are too narrow, not enough open space along the side of the highway, and overpasses that are too low. An upgrade of any parkway to Interstate standards would be an expensive undertaking.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Audubon eyed as I-69 spur (Dec. 2, 2004) 

The new U.S. Highway 60 Corridor Safety Task Team will meet at Green River Area Development District in Owensboro tomorrow, Nov. 17, at 10:00am to discuss efforts to increase driver safety along US 60: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Group focusing on U.S. 60 safety (Nov. 9, 2004) 

Owensboro officials hope to someday see a connector between Farmview Drive to Carpenter Drive; however, officials are wary of plans to widen US 431 from Owensboro to the Tennessee border: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: City seeks Farmview connector (Oct. 27, 2004) 

The US 60 Highway Safety Corridor committee met in September to discuss using a team concept to increase safety along US 60 in Hancock, Daviess, Henderson, and Union counties: Union County Advocate: Highway safety meeting today in Owensboro (Sept. 29, 2004) 

A proposal to rename parts of Fifth Street Road and Sixth Street Road in Owensboro has exposed differing opinions from area residents: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Resident objects to renaming of road; City: West Fifth Street Road name confusing (Sept. 22, 2004) 

The new name for both streets would be Cravens Street.

Construction of a new connector route from Southtown Boulevard to Frederica Street (US 431) in Owensboro southern commercial area: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Work to start on West Loop; Project to take 9 months (Sept. 15, 2004) 

Transportation officials are considering construct a roundabout  to ease congestion at the intersection of KY 56 and KY 81 in Owensboro: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Roundabout may help ease traffic congestion at 'the Y' (Aug. 25, 2004) 

Gov. Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Bailey have appointed chief highway engineers for nine of the Division of Highways' twelve districts.

• Edward “Ted” Merryman has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 1 and 2. Previously, Merryman was chief highway engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Greg Meredith has been reappointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Gary M. Raymer, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 4. [more information ]
• David Jones, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 6. [more information ]
• Jim Rummage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 7. [more information ]
• Katrina O. Bradley, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 9. [more information ]
• Samuel H. Beverage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 10 and 11. [ more information ]

More information: WKYT: Gov. Fletcher Hires New Highway Engineers (June 29, 2004) , Associated Press: Fletcher appoints top highway engineers (June 30, 2004) , Hardin County News-Enterprise: Highway engineer appointed in E'town (June 30, 2004) , Maysville Ledger-Independent: New KTC Engineer Sees District as Unique (July 2, 2004) 

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports that this summer the city of Owensboro will be undertaking a number of projects to improve its streets and sidewalks: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: City gets rolling on street projects (June 28, 2004) 

The 60-day regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly ended on April 13. Thirteen bills relating to transportation were passed into law during the 2004 regular session. Click “read full text” below for summaries of each bill.

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The Green River Area Development District is planning a detailed study of traffic in downtown Owensboro. Traffic patterns in Owensboro have changed after the opening of the William H. Natcher Bridge to the east of the city.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: GRADD to study downtown traffic (March 23, 2004) 

The Bowling Green Daily News reports that funding for construction of a southern extension of the Natcher Parkway is included in the proposed six year plan. Initial design work has already been completed for the extension that would stretch for the parkway.s current terminus at I-65 to US 231 near Dye Ford Road.

Additionally, tolls are scheduled to be lifted from the entire length of the parkway once its bonds are repaid in 2007.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: $20M Natcher extension on road toward construction (Feb. 28, 2004) 

Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bailey told state legislators on Wednesday that no projects were cut from this year's version of the Six Year Highway plan; however, some projects have delayed due to the states budget problems.

The list of projects is too long to list here; however, some notable projects are listed below.

• $118 million for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project. Some of this money will be raised by selling bonds that would be repaid when promised federal funding is allocated for the project.
• $78 million for reconstruction of the Owensboro bypass to the east of its current alignment. This is meant to improve access to the William H. Natcher Bridge.
• Widening of I-64 from Louisville to Shelbyville.
• Widening of I-65 from the Tennessee State Line to Bowling Green.
• Widening of I-75 in Scott and Grant counties.
• Southern extensions of both the Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway and the William H. Natcher Parwkay.

A notable absence from the list is funding for replacing the I-71/I-75 Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River; however, the project remains on the unscheduled needs list and officials claim that it is still a priority. Construction on the project is still over a decade away.

This year the transportation cabinet has split the list into projects that will receive federal funding and projects that will not receive federal funding. Projects that will be funded only by the state are expected to be delayed and will be prioritized by need.

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The full House of the state legislature will now consider a bill to rename KY 54 in Daviess County after David "Paulie" Nash. Private First Class Nash of Whitesville was killed when he threw himself on a grenade during the Vietnam War. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Nixon administration.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Nash highway resolution passes unanimously (Feb. 6, 2004) 

Update (Feb. 8, 2004): More information: Associated Press: Veterans seek to have Kentucky highway named after Medal of Honor winner (Feb. 7, 2004) 

In a recent speech to the Owensboro Chamber Commerce, Gov. Ernie Fletcher reiterated a campaign process to remove tolls from the Natcher and Audubon Parkways.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Fletcher pushes tech center (Jan. 23m 2004) 

An Owensboro man was injured around 1:00am Tuesday, Jan. 20 when an alternator thrown from the Kentucky 279 overpass on the Audubon Parkway crashed through his window. The Kentucky State Police Henderson Post is investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call (270) 685-3927 or (270) 826-3312.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Overpass incident injures driver (Jan. 21, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation and Tourism Interagency Committee recently approved a scenic byway through Daviess, Hancock, Ohio, Muhlenberg, McLean, Webster, Union and Henderson counties that will highlight the region.s music heritage.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Scenic byway will feature musical legends (Dec. 12, 2003) 

The four-lane Natcher Bridge currently serves only 4,500 vehicles per day while the two-lane Grover Carey Bridge in Owensboro serves 10,000 vehicles per day and the two-lane Bob Cummings-Lincoln Trail Bridge at Hawesville serves 8,900 vehicles per day; however, transportation officials expect traffic on the bridge to increase once an extension of the Owensboro bypass is completed and US 231 is widened to four lanes in Indiana.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Traffic count expected to rise (Dec. 7, 2003) , Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: U.S. 231 widening moving forward (Dec. 14, 2003) 

Jan. 15, 2004 Update: Courier-Journal: New bridge has less traffic than projected (Jan. 13, 2004) 

Jan. 20, 2004 Update: The (Henderson) Gleaner: Study: Natcher Bridge traffic light (Jan. 13, 2004) 

Diamond grinding on the westernmost section of the Owensboro Bypass and repaving of the northern end of the William H. Natcher Parkway should be complete by the end of November.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Work on U.S. 60 bypass going smoothly (November 5, 2003) 

Owensboro residents chose to continue to use blue paint to paint the Glove Cary Bridge over the Ohio River. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet now let locals select the color to paint bridges, and Owensboro residents chose to continue the at least 40 year old tradition of having the Blue Bridge in downtown.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Bridge ballot blue is best (Sept. 5, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will begin repainting the Glover H. Cary bridge in downtown Owensboro in 2006; however, before then, the cabinet must choose a color for the new paint. Owensboro residents will be able to voice their opinion on the bridges new color beginning Friday. Residents will be able to vote at the Daviess County Public Library, Towne Square Mall, and online at the Messenger-Inquirer website.

Area students were given a chance to vote on the bridge color in the spring. Blue is the current front runner with 44% of the vote with teal (22%), brick red (17%), and green (14%) following. The bridge was last painted in 1987 and is currently teal.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: (Aug. 13, 2003)  (free registration required), WKYT: Citizens Will Vote On Bridge Color (Aug. 13, 2003) , KentuckyRoads.com: Photograph of Glover H. Carey Bridge

The William H. Natcher Bridge was one of 24 projects nationwide to receive an Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Natcher Bridge Design Earns National Honor Award (March 19, 2003) 

A project to repave a short section KY 54 near the Owensboro US 60 By-pass has begun and is expected to last until mid-August. Though the stretch of highway is only eleven years old, the pavement has become deeply rutted; this project's aim is to correct that problem.

Other Daviess County projects include work to improve drainage on the William H. Natcher Parkway and pavement rehabilitation on US 60 east of Owensboro in Daviess and Hancock Counties.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Kentucky 54 resurfacing under way (July 24, 2003)  (free registration required; includes photograph of construction work)

Two-hundred-and-sixty-two photographs of Kentucky's roads have been added to this website. The new photo galleries include:

• Bridges of the Ohio River - Several of Kentucky's 40 bridges across the Ohio River.
• William H. Harsha Bridge Photographs - Photographs of Kentucky's first cable stayed bridge: the William H. Harsha bridge near Maysville.
• I-64 - Sherman Minton Bridge - The I-64 and US 150 bridge over the Ohio River in Louisville.
• Shortway Bridge - The Old KY 1120 bridge over the Licking River between Kenton and Campbell Counties.
• I-65 - John F. Kennedy Bridge - The I-65 bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.
• US 31 - George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge) - The US 31 bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.
• I-65 - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 30 - Miscellaneous Images - Photographs of the new section of KY 30 under construction in Laurel County.
• I-65 Warren County Construction - June 29, 2001
• I-65 Warren County Construction - May 22, 2002
• I-65 Warren County Construction - August 15, 2002
• I-65 Warren County Construction - July 5, 2003
• I-75 - Miscellaneous Images - Includes photographs of I-75 widening projects south of Lexington.
• William H. Natcher Bridge - October 26, 2002
• William H. Natcher Bridge - February 8, 2003
• Louisville - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 3 and KY 645 - Inez - January 3, 2003
• AA Highway - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 67 - Miscellaneous Images
• KY 80 - Miscellaneous Images - Along KY 80 in Pulaski and Laurel Counties.
• KY 101 and KY 259 - Edmonson County - November 18, 2001 - A new section of KY 259 and KY 101 under construction in Edmonson County.
• US 23 - Miscellaneous Images
• US 60 - Miscellaneous Images - Photographs of the Cumberland and Tennessee River bridges.

A few new images have been added to the KentuckyRoads.com - Miscellaneous Signs and KentuckyRoads.com - General Images galleries as well.

Updated: 21-Jul-2003 2:00PM CDT

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet released the 2003 version of the official highway map on May 29. There were no apparent major changes over the previous year's, except for the fact that on June 10, the map was modified to show the former Daniel Boone Parkway as the Hal Rogers Parkway.

More information: KYTC: Official Highway Map 

The map is now available in rest areas. I picked up a copy at the Paducah Welcome Center yesterday. The cover art is a photograph of the William H. Natcher Bridge.

Work to rehabilitate pavement on the western end of Owensboro's US 60 By-pass is planned to start on July 21. Work on the section of the bypass from US 431 to US 60 west of Owensboro is expected to take until November. The concrete surface of the road will undergo diamond grinding and asphalt shoulders will be built.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Pavement work starts Monday on bypass (July 12, 2003) 

The US 60 bridge over the Green River at Spottsville was struck by an Army Corps of Engineers barge at 10:30 CDT on May 29, 2003. The bridge was closed for repairs. Traffic was detoured on to the Audubon Parkway.

The Spottsville Bridge collapsed while it was under construction in 1931, killing three workers.

More information: Associated Press: Green River bridge hit by barge, closed indefinitely (May 29, 2003) , Henderson Gleaner: Bridge may be closed for two weeks (May 30, 2003)  (includes pictures)

The Messenger-Inquirer reports that road projects for Daviess County in 2003 include diamond grinding the western portion of the US 60 By-pass, rehabilitation of the northbound lanes of the Natcher Parkway near the northern terminus, and bridge replacements on KY 661 and US 431.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Road and bridge projects lined up for 2003 (Dec. 30, 2002) 

Work on the Owensboro approach to the Glover Cary Bridge should be mostly complete in a few weeks. J.R. Miller Boulevard is being realigned so that aligns with the bridge. Landscaping and final paving should be complete this spring.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Cary bridge work nears end (Dec. 28, 2002) 

The new William H. Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River near Owensboro has been named as one of the Top 10 Bridges by Roads and Bridges Magazine.

More information: KYTC Press Release 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has recommended a route for an eastern extension of the Wendell H. Ford Expressway US 60 By-pass in Owensboro. The 4.5-mile recommended route begins north of Kentucky 54 on the current US 60 By-pass and connects to US 60/US 231 east of KY 144. The extension is intended to relieve congestion along US 60/US 231 east of Owensboro. Traffic on the current route is expected to increase now that US 231 has been rerouted as part of the approach to the Natcher Bridge.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: State makes recommendation for $53 million bypass extension (10/25/2002) 

The William H. Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River northeast of Owensboro opened to traffic on October 21, 2002.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Natcher Bridge opens to traffic (Oct. 22, 2002)  (free registration required), Messenger-Inquirer: Natcher Bridge on track for Monday opening (Oct. 15, 2002)  (free registration required)

The Natcher Bridge probably won't open until around Oct. 10. Grouting of the tables was recently completed, and now wind ties must be attached to the cables. These ties are intended to restrict the movement of the cables during high wind. Other remaining work includes pouring concrete to complete the roofs of the two towers, painting, and electrical work. The construction equipment including two large cranes must be removed.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Bridge likely to open in Oct. (Sept. 12, 2002) 

New signs have been (or are being placed) along the length of the Audubon Parkway. Jason Ward, of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, reports that this work is being done through a contract with The Ruth Company.

Jacob Newkirk discusses the re-signing project in this Usenet thread . He reports that many of the signs were the original signs that were installed on the parkway when it opened in the early '70s.

New Route Numbers for Old US 231

Jacob Newkirk reports in this Usenet post  that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will probably renumber US 231 through downtown Owensboro as Kentucky 2155.

It has also been said that the Indiana Department of Transportation will renumber old US 231 in Indiana as Indiana 161. (See here  and here .)

The Glover Cary Bridge over the Ohio River at downtown Owensboro is in Kentucky so, if current plans hold, will be part of Kentucky 2155. The stateline is on the north side of the river, and the "Welcome to Kentucky" sign is at the north end of the bridge. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will continue to maintain the 62-year old bridge.

Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer Bridge Coverage

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer ran a series of articles about the Natcher Bridge and other area bridges in their August 30, 2002 edition. You need to complete their free registration to view these articles online:

• William H. Natcher Bridge timeline 
• The men behind the names 
• Solid foundation 
• A community of vision 
• The Missing Link? 
• A long, rocky road 
• Something old ... 
• ... something new 

A selection of a route for the proposed extension to the Owensboro by-pass will be announced in about two months, according to the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer. When the preferred route is announced in October, the public will have 15 days to submit comments on the route. If the plans are finally approved, right-of-way acquisition could begin in 2003 with utility relocation in 2004 and construction in 2005.

The extension of the by-pass is expected to connect with the current by-pass near the Kentucky 54 interchange and connect with US 60 east of the US 60/KY 144 interchange.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Bypass extension route selection near (Aug. 25, 2002)  (free registration required)

Here a couple of links related to the dedication of the William H. Natcher Bridge:

• Natcher Bridge Dedication  - Picture from Gov. Patton's Web Site.
• Natcher Bridge Dedicated at Owensboro  - Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Press Release dated Aug. 16, 2002.

In October, the city of Owensboro will begin work on the approach to the Glover Cary Bridge in downtown Owensboro. This work will include widening the approach to the bridge and widening J.R. Miller Boulevard between Third and Fourth Streets. This work includes demolition of a house that sits across the street from the approach to the bridge.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: 'Tis the season for city's major construction (Aug. 18, 2002) 

The new William H. Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River was officially dedicated on Friday, August 16, 2002. The $70 million span connects eastern Daviess County, Kentucky to Spencer County in Indiana. During the dedication ceremony, politicians from both sides of the river remarked on the significance the new bridge will play in the development of Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana. They also recalled the hard work and determination of the late-U.S. Representative William H. Natcher for whom the bridge is named. After the ceremony, despite the rain, hundreds of visitors took an opportunity to walk across the nearly completed bridge.

The rumor date for the opening of the bridge is Sept. 25. Installation of guardrails and striping on the Indiana side still needs to be completed. Also the grouting of the cable stays has not yet been completed.

When the bridge opens US 231 will be rerouted onto the eastern portion of Owensboro's US 60 bypass, then along US 60, then onto a new four lane highway, and then across the bridge into Indiana. No word on what route number, if any, will be used to redesignate the existing route of US 231 which includes the Cary Bridge in downtown Owensboro.

A decorative "William H. Natcher Bridge" sign on display at the ceremony's stage.	Kentucky Gov. Patton and Indiana Gov. O'Bannon cut a ribbon marking the official dedication of the bridge.	The south tower viewed from directly underneath.
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The KYTC has posted this press release  with information about the Natcher Bridge dedication ceremony. As mentioned previously on this website, the dedication ceremony will be held on the Kentucky side of the bridge at 1:30 pm Central Time. Parking will be available on the roadway leading to the bridge and at Hawe's Truck Stop located on 6057 SR 2830 (Old US 60). A shuttle bus will take visitors to the bridge.

Also, the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer notes that there have been no fatalities or very serious injuries during the 5-1/2 year construction of the bridge (the most serious reported injury was a broken ankle); however, six men were killed when a plane carrying engineers to study the construction site crashed at takeoff in 1990.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Bridge exacted a toll in lives (Aug. 6, 2002)  (free registration required)

I recently discovered this presentation  about the William H. Natcher Bridge on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Web Site. The presentation contains information about the bridge along with pictures taken at several points during its construction.

More information: The William Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River 

The William H. Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River near Owensboro will be dedicated on August 16; however, the bridge will not open to traffic that day. The approach on the Indiana side has yet to be completed.

The dedication ceremony beings at 1:30 pm on August 16 and is open to the public. Visitors will be able to walk across the bridge. Visitors will be able to park on the highway on the Kentucky side of the bridge.

The image below shows the general location of the bridge:

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Procession over bridge will mark dedication of new span (July 14, 2002) 

I've updated the William H. Natcher Bridge page with pictures that I took on June 25 and February 16. The bridge and the Kentucky approach appear to be essentially complete. There was some work underway to install lighting along the bridge. The Indiana approach is still under construction.

View from the Kentucky shore.	The bridge viewed from Indiana Route 66.	Facing south on the Kentucky approach.
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The dedication of the Natcher Bridge has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts with Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon and Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton. The bridge is now nearly complete.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Bridge Ceremony Postponed (June 14, 2002) 

The new William H. Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River at Owensboro will be dedicated at 10:00 am on August 2nd. It has been 62 years since Owensboro's only other Ohio River bridge, the Glover H. Cary Bridge, was dedicated on July 30, 1940.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Natcher Bridge dedication Aug. 2 (May 12, 2002)  (Free registration required)

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Division of Planning has updated their web site. There appear to be several new planning studies listed .

Among these projects is a study of KY 2121 (Southtown Blvd.) in Owensboro .

The William H. Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River near Owensboro is expected to open in late-July or early-August. Several tasks still remain to be completed: the construction of two foot-eight inch tall barrier walls on the outside edges of the bridge and down the center of the bridge, application of the final layer of concrete for the driving surface of the bridge, final tensioning of the cable stays, grouting of the cables, and painting of the steel undercarriage of the bridge. No date has been chosen for the grand opening of the bridge.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Natcher Bridge construction enters final phase (April 14, 2002)  (no longer online)

Owensboro's First Baptist Church has approved the sale of a house across the street from the Cary Bridge approach. This house will now be demolished to allow reconstruction of the interchange at the end of the Cary Bridge. The Cary Bridge is a two-lane bridge over the Ohio River. It carries US 231.

More information: Messenger-Inquirer: Cary bridge approach on right track (April 11, 2002)  (no longer online)

J. Bryan Nicol, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation, recently made two speeches in Owensboro about the impact of road projects in Southern Indiana on the highway system in Kentucky. INDOT is widening US 231 from the new William H. Natcher Bridge to I-64. This project is expected to be completed in 2007. Eventually the widened US 231 will connect with the I-69 extension providing Owensboro with even better access to the road system.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: U.S. 231, I-69 projects moving forward  (no longer online)

Yea, KentuckyRoads.com 200th headline!

This Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer article  (no longer online) examines Daviess County road projects that are listed in the 2002 Six Year Highway Plan. The projects include:

• an eastern extension to the US 60 By-pass to divert traffic heading towards the William H. Natcher Bridge slated to begin construction in 2005,
• widening of Southtown Boulevard,
• reconstruction of the northernmost six miles of the Natcher Parkway,
• reconstruction of the approach the Cary Bridge over the Ohio River,
• and several pavement rehabilitation projects and bridge replacements.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this article  (no longer online) that the final section of the William H. Natcher Bridge has been placed. The new cable-stayed bridge over the Ohio River is expected to open in late July or early August.

This Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer article  (no longer online) reports that work at the intersection of US 60 and Bypass US 60 greatly reduced business at shops near the work zone. The work, to add extra turn lanes, was completed in December. Traffic is expected to increase this summer when the William H. Natcher Bridge opens. Eventually the US 60 by-pass will be extended further east to reduce traffic near Owensboro.

The conference version of the Transportation spending bill  has passed both houses of Congress and is now waiting to be signed by the President.

Kentucky is mentioned several places in the bill:

• $2,000,000 for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) providing Eastern Kentucky rural highway information,
• $750,000 for an ITS for Lexington,
• $2,000,000 for a statewide transportation operations center,
• the corridors for I-66 and I-69 have been redefined: I-66 is now defined to use the Nunn Cumberland Parkway and I-69 is now defined to use the Carrol Purchase Parkway,
• Kentucky may now post signs saying "Future I-69" on the Purchase Parkway and "Future I-66" in the Cumberland Parkway,
• $4,000,000 for to help access to an industrial park in Clay and Leslie counties,
• $50,000 for work on Kentucky 55,
• $1,600,000 for work on Kentucky 192 in McCreary county,
• $1,000,000 for improvements to the intersection at the end of Grover Carey Bridge in Owensboro,
• $250,000 for work on Kentucky 61 in Green county,
• $300,000 for work on Kentucky 92 in Whitley county,
• $20,000,000 for I-66 (I believe this is the Somerset-London segment.),
• $2,500,000 for I-66 in Pike County,
• $320,000 for work on KY 1848 between I-64 and US 60,
• $1,000,000 for the Monticello Street underpass in Somerset,
• $1,000,000 for work on the Pennyrile Parkway (I believe this is for the southern extension to I-24),
• $1,500,000 for work on Stone Coal Road in Johnson county,
• $2,000,000 for work on US 25 near Renfro Valley,
• $5,000,000 for work on US 27 between Somerset and KY 70,
• $80,000 for work on US 27 near Burnside,
• $850,000 for work on US 431 near Lewisburg,
• $500,000 for right-of-way for US 60 in Henderson County,
• $100,000 for work on US 41A,
• $50,00 for Estill County bypass lighting around Irvine,
• $300,000 for Estill County industrial park access road,
• $400,000 for Fegenbush Lane Bridge at Fern Creek,
• $1,000,000 for Henderson riverfront project,
• $1,000,000 for engineering work on Kentucky 61 from Kentucky 487 to Columbia,
• $800,000 for Johnstown Road,
• $2,350,000 for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Regional Trail Improvements,
• $1,000,000 for improved access to Louisville's water front park,
• $600,000 for median on US 42 from Harrods Creek to River Road,
• $1,800,000 for Owensboro Riverfront redevelopment project,
• $42,600 for Park City sidewalks,
• $2,000,000 for Somerset downtown revitalization,
• $6,600,000 for Southern bypass around the southwestern portion of Somerset,
• $125,000 for Vine Grove sidewalks,
• $2,000,000 for Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge,
• $1,400,000 for Cold Hill Road,
• $995,000 for Craigs Creek Road,
• $1,500,000 for Daniel Boone Parkway between mileposts 37 and 44,
• $2,000,000 for Brent Spence Bridge replacement I-75 and I-71 near Cincinnati,
• $375,000 for work at I-75 Exit 11,
• $2,500,000 for Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project,
• $885,000 for Kentucky Scenic byways (Country Music Highway, Wilderness Road Heritage Highway, Cumberland Cultural Heritage Highway),
• $30,000,000 for work Appalachian Development Highway System,
• $4,534,000 for the Kentucky Transportation Department to provide buses, vans, cutaways, and bus facilities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,
• $1,500,000 for Big South Fork Scenic Railroad enhancement project, and
• $5,000,000 for Southern Kentucky Intermodal Transportation Park.

Quite an impressive haul; however, there is no funding for I-175.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this article  that work on the Natcher Bridge is progressing well. Only three sections of the deck remain to placed, and they should be in place by the first of the year. The bridge and approaches are expected to be complete around the end of July.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this article  (no longer online) that state budget cuts may affect road projects in the Owensboro area; however, most appear to be on track. While projects such as an eastern extension of the US 60 By-pass, the William H. Natcher bridge, and other work on US 60 are expected to be funding. Work on roads such as Southtown Boulevard was to be funded by surplus money which may no longer be available.

The Owensboro Messenger Inquirer reports in this article  (no longer online) that work at the intersection of US 60 and US 60 By-pass east of Owensboro will not be complete until mid-December. New turn lanes are being added to ease congestion at the interchange.

According to this Messenger-Inquirer article  (no longer online), a decision on the route for a new eastern extension of the Owensboro Bypass is still months away.

The Gleaner (Henderson) reports in this October 4, 2001 article  (no longer online) that the KYTC is planning several projects along US 60 between Louisville and Paducah. These projects include construction of a railroad overpass between Owensboro and Henderson and the construction of a four lane highway between Henderson and Morganfield.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this August 25, 2001 article  (no longer online) that work to add extra turn lanes at the eastern end of Owensboro bypass has begun.

This Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer article  (no longer online) reports that work on the Cary Bridge over the Ohio River at Owensboro is causing eight to ten minute delays.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this August 11, 2001 article  (no longer online) that one lane of the Glover H. Cary Bridge over the Ohio River will be closed this week for the installation of fiber optic cable.

A new feature on the William H. Natcher Bridge has been added to the web site. It contains an overview of the project, a map of the project area, photographs of the bridge taken on August 9, 2001, and links to other sources of information about the bridge.

The William H. Natcher Bridge is currently being built over the Ohio River near Owensboro. It is expected to be the new route of US 231 when complete.

Taken near the IN 66/US 231 intersection. Both towers and the deck are visible.	Traffic congestion at the Kentucky end of the Cary Bridge.	The barrier along the south approach of the bridge is still under construction.
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The Evansville Courier & Press reports in this August 7, 2001 article  that a section of the Audubon Parkway has caved in. Traffic is down to two lanes due to the collapse. The section was in the process of being repaired to prevent such collapses.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this August 4, 2001  article that a widening project at the intersection of US 60 and US 60 Bypass on the eastside of Owensboro will cause headaches for school bus drivers. The project will widen westbound US 60 to provide two turn-lanes onto the US 60 Bypass. During construction left turns from westbound US 60 and left turns from eastbound US 60 Bypass will be prohibited.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this July 26, 2001 article  that rehabilitation work a 2.5 mile stretch of the US 60 Bypass in Owensboro should be completed in mid-September. In addition to resurfacing the route, several bridges were repaired or replaced.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this July 22, 2001 article  (no longer online) that work on the new cable stayed bridge over the Ohio River near Owensboro should be complete in about a year. The new bridge will carry US 231 and will divert traffic from the existing bridge in downtown Owensboro.