KentuckyRoads.com - Natcher Bridge Dedication

Natcher Bridge Dedication

Posted: 17-Aug-2002 7:40PM CDT

Topics: [Daviess County] [William H. Natcher Bridge] [William H. Natcher Parkway] [The Ohio River] [US 231] [US 60]

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.

Kentucky's Gov. Paul Patton called this one of the biggest road projects under-taken by Kentucky and promised that a five mile long extension of Owensboro's bypass will be constructed to better connect the bridge to the William H. Natcher Parkway. He also prodded Indiana to continue its construction of a four lane US 231 to connect the bridge to I-64. For his part, Indiana's Gov. O'Bannon said that the first contracts for the US 231 reconstruction are to be let in October.

Pictures

All of these pictures were taken by Jeffrey Carlyle.

Signage at the intersection of US 60 and the future US 231.	Looking north down future US 231 towards the bridge.	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.	William H. Natcher Bridge Dedication	Visitors pass by the "William H. Natcher Bridge" sign as they begin their walk across the bridge.
Visitors pass by the "William H. Natcher Bridge" sign as they begin their walk across the bridge.	The AEP Coal Power Plant	A cable connection with the deck of the bridge.
The Indiana approach to the bridge including a new overhead sign for the interchange with Indiana 66.	The Indiana approach to the bridge.	Looking westbound down Indiana 66 and current US 231.
Looking south across the bridge.	An expansion joint at the Indiana side of the bridge.	Looking downstream on the Ohio River near the first cable stays.
Looking south across the bridge through the cable stays.	Looking upstream on the Ohio River.	The cable stays connected to the south tower.
A cable stay connection next to a Motor Vehicle Enforcement Crown Victoria.	A bucket connected to one of the cable stays.	Cables connecting to the top of the south tower.
The south tower viewed from directly underneath.	Looking south into Kentucky.	Looking north across the bridge.
Cable stay connections at the south end of the bridge.	Looking downstream on the Ohio River at the town of Rockport, Indiana.	"Welcome to Kentucky. Where education pays."
Looking north across the bridge from the Kentucky landing.	William H. Natcher Bridge Dedication	Signage at the intersection of US 60 and the future US 231.
	A US 60 sign and a partially covered US 231 sign.