Shawneetown Bridge

Ground has been broken on the $11.5m KY-56 (Morganfield-Shawneetown Road) widening project in Union County.

The new project runs for about four miles, and involves widening of KY-56 from downtown Morganfield to KY-360 near Spring Grove.

Works include rebuilding of this portion of KY-56 by correcting the roadway alignment and fixing certain pavement deficiencies.

The widened route will comprise two 12-foot lanes with paved ten-foot shoulders, and is part of an overall venture to expand KY-56 to KY-109 near the Shawneetown Bridge over the Ohio River.

The 3,200-ft Shawneetown Bridge opened to traffic in 1956, and around 3,800 vehicles currently cross the bridge every day.

"Motorists will soon enjoy a safer, more reliable roadway."

Kentucky Governor Steve said: "The KY-56 project highlights a growing need for improved infrastructure and access into our rural communities. Motorists will soon enjoy a safer, more reliable roadway."

KY-56 is currently under-used by commercial and regular traffic due to the narrow, winding, and hilly roadways, with truckers travelling nearly 30 miles out of their way via KY-109 and US 60 to reach Morganfield.

When it is completed, the project will allow truckers to cut almost 13 miles in a one-way trip.

HICON Construction was awarded the $11.5m contract for the Morganfield to Spring Grove section in December, with completion scheduled in September 2015.


Image: The 3,200-ft Shawneetown Bridge opened to traffic in 1956. Photo: courtesy of Patricia Drury.