Work on the new Kennedy Mill Bridge in Kentucky has completed 11 months ahead of schedule.
The new bridge connects Mercer and Garrard counties across Herrington Lake. Originally scheduled for completion in November 2019, the Kennedy Mill Bridge replaced a 94-year-old, triple-span truss bridge that had undergone a number of closures and repairs in its final years.
Walsh Construction was the general contractor for the 826-ft-long bridge that required unique engineering and constructability methods due to the 200-ft depth and behaviors of the lake. Walsh Construction built bridge piers from the bottom of the spread footing to the top cap in order to combat the depth of the lake. The lake levels also were sporadic, and the project overcame torrential rains that significantly impacted foundation work during the summer. Lake levels rose to some of its highest levels in history and shut down foundation operations for three months.
Following the flooding, Walsh Construction and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet came to an agreement to accelerate construction and deliver the new $31.5 million bridge by the end of 2018.
Steel girders that weighed up to 178,000 lb were first installed in September across five segments, and deck pours began in mid-November. The new bridge opened to traffic on Friday, December 21. Final pavement and other finishing operations are to be completed in the spring.
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Source: Walsh Construction
