Carl Perkins Bridge

Last updated

Carl D. Perkins Bridge
Carl Perkins Bridge 1.jpg
Coordinates 38°43′40″N83°01′04″W / 38.72778°N 83.01778°W / 38.72778; -83.01778
Carries2 lanes of Truck plate.svg
US 23.svg
OH-852.svg US 23 Truck  / SR 852
Crosses Ohio River
Locale Portsmouth, Ohio and South Portsmouth, Kentucky
Maintained by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Characteristics
Design Cantilever bridge
Longest span900 ft (270 m)
History
OpenedOctober 30, 1987
Location
Carl Perkins Bridge

The Carl D. Perkins Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans the Ohio River between Washington Township, Scioto County, Ohio and South Portsmouth, Greenup County, Kentucky. The bridge carries the two lanes of State Route 852 and Truck Route U.S. Highway 23. The bridge connects to Kentucky Route 8.

Contents

History

In July 1978, inspections of the original U.S. Grant Bridge found serious deterioration in its suspension cables. The bridge was closed to traffic and was rehabilitated over an 18-month period. With future traffic projected to increase compounded with a decline in level of service on the original U.S. Grant Bridge, the Kentucky Department of Transportation (KYDOT) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) agreed to begin planning for a new bridge. The 1978 Surface Transportation Assistance Act authorized the construction of a new bridge across the Ohio River in Portsmouth. In the environmental impact statement, it was decided the new bridge would be located 1.1 miles (1.8 km) downstream from the U.S. Grant Bridge. [1]

The bridge opened on October 30, 1987. [2] It is named after the late Carl D. Perkins, Congressman from the 7th District of Kentucky.[ citation needed ]

During the demolition of the original U.S. Grant Bridge and the construction of its replacement upstream, it was the only highway bridge connecting Ohio to Kentucky at Portsmouth. The Perkins Bridge also served as a detour for U.S. Highway 23 during this time period.[ citation needed ]

Aerial view of the bridge in 2019 Carl Perkins Bridge aerial 2019.jpg
Aerial view of the bridge in 2019

See also

References

  1. Environmental Impact Statement: New Bridge Over the Ohio River Near Portsmouth, Ohio and South Shore, Kentucky. Kentucky Department of Transportation Office of Planning and Programming Division of Highway Systems. 1981. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  2. Lancaster, Debra (November 23, 1987). "Bridge feud continues". The Open Air. Vol. 2, no. 9. p. 2. Retrieved July 5, 2025.