Updated Work Schedule for Southbound U.S. 41 Bridge Announced
Work to begin Tuesday, Sept. 9, nightly lane restriction on sb bridge planned
MADISONVILLE, Ky. (August 29, 2025) – Plans have now been finalized for a contractor working for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to begin the previously announced maintenance project on the Southbound U.S. 41 Bridge in Henderson. Work is slated to begin on Tuesday, August 9 and last through Oct. 18.
Crews plan to be on the bridge daily from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. During that time the southbound bridge will be restricted to one lane. There is not a plan to alter traffic on the northbound bridge at this time.
During the 40-day work schedule, engineers will be monitoring daily traffic flows and will have some flexibility to adjust the daily lane closure times if it becomes necessary.
This project consists primarily of repairs to issues found during a specialized T-1 steel inspection conducted in late 2024. Unlike the normal biannual inspections of the bridge, these Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) mandated inspections are meant to identify, inspect and test specific bridge components in T-1 steel bridges to verify the soundness of all butt welds with the use of non-destructive testing.
T-1 steel — a grade of high-strength, quenched and treated steel known for being highly amenable to welding and machining — is no longer used in bridge construction but was used regularly in the 1950s and 1960s around the country. In May 2021, a fracture was discovered in a weld in a T-1 steel component of the Interstate 40 “Hernando de Soto Bridge” between Memphis, Tennessee, and West Memphis, Arkansas. T-1 steel inspections have been by FHWA mandated since December of that year.
The southbound bridge, built in 1965, was constructed with the use of T-1 steel.. The northbound bridge, built in 1932, was not constructed with this material.
KYTC is aware of a discrepancy on the message boards placed near the Twin Bridges in Henderson on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The boards were activated before programming was complete and incorrectly listed the construction start date as Sept. 15. Originally the project was slated to begin Sept. 8, but was delayed one day to Sept. 9.
++++
To get traffic advisories and alerts for KYTC Highway District 2 counties via email, please go to: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYTC/signup/13668 . Click on the District 2 counties you regularly drive through, or on any of the specialty corridors you travel. Please respond to your subscription request confirmation that will arrive via email. Check to make sure Gov Delivery is approved by your email spam filter.
Traffic alerts and advisories are available at www.Facebook.com/KYTCDistrict2 . Please LIKE and FOLLOW District 2. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page.
You may also get up-to-date traffic information at goky.ky.gov, or by using a map APP that includes traffic information.
###
|
-
-
