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| 20161126 6760rc, South (Kentucky) Portal |
I was shocked to read in Historic Bridges that Kentucky wants to destroy this bridge. First of all, the traffic is on I-57, not these US highways. The traffic on this bridge was light when I spent some time in the area. A streetview also shows light traffic. I think a third lane is needed on I-65 between Indianapolis and the Chicago area long before four lanes are needed here. If four lanes are deemed necessary, then I would like to agree with Historic Bridges --- build another two-lane bridge. However, the current bridge is not expected to survive a New Madrid earthquake. The largest span is 800'. [US51bridge-overview]
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| Upstream Elevation |
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| 20200219 1393 Downstream elevations viewed from the Fort Jefferson Hill Park and Memorial Cross |
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| Ohio Valley Aerial posted |
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| US51bridge-overview |
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| US51bridge-overview [One advantage of bridge replacements is that the some DOTs take some nice photos of the current bridge.] |
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| Facebook Reel Transporting the 2025 Christmas tree to the Capitol. |
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| U.S. Forest Service-Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest posted Silver Belle has made it to the Capitol! Thanks to all who helped along the way! [Some comments indicate that it came from Nevada.] |
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| One of several photos posted about Cairo, IL by AARoads |
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| Screenshot |
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| LandLine Input sought on replacing Cairo Bridge |
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| US51bridge-home and US51birdge-media, cropped |
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| US51bridge-status
A 2014 Alternative Selection Report evaluated potential locations for a replacement bridge across the Ohio River in this area and recommended a 2000ft corridor upstream of the existing US 51 bridge as the preferred location for the crossing. If the US 51 Bridge were not available for local traffic, the detour trip between Wickliffe, KY and Cairo, IL increases from 7 miles to 80+ miles per direction. Adding approximately 70 miles per direction to trips between Illinois and Kentucky would be a hardship to area residents.
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| Casey Dikkers posted I've been doing photography for a few years now. I live in Springfield but I travel all over the state for little photo-trips when I can. This is the Ohio River Bridge at Cairo, IL. |
Since Kentucky plans to replace, rather than augment this bridge, my wife's "bad" photos of high river levels become good photos of the bridge's truss members.
It is interesting that some members are lattice while others are box.
Is this 2021 Google Maps satellite image from the 2019 floods?
I was looking at the satellite map to determine if this photo was taken by this bridge or the bridge over the Mississippi. Since this bridge is the one that makes the transition from a through truss to a deck truss on a pier in the water, I think the photo is of the two southern towers of this bridge. The photos shows that this area is an important fleeting area. The have to rebuild the huge tows from the lower Mississippi into the small 15-barge tows that can fit through the locks of the Ohio River. Also note that the Ohio River is significantly wider than the Mississippi River where they join. I have a friend who was raised in Evansville, IN, that always thought it should have been the Lower Ohio instead of the Lower Mississippi. I first noticed the widths when I saw this bridge has four towers but the Mississippi bridge has only two towers.
It is interesting that some members are lattice while others are box.
Is this 2021 Google Maps satellite image from the 2019 floods?
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| Satellite |
I was looking at the satellite map to determine if this photo was taken by this bridge or the bridge over the Mississippi. Since this bridge is the one that makes the transition from a through truss to a deck truss on a pier in the water, I think the photo is of the two southern towers of this bridge. The photos shows that this area is an important fleeting area. The have to rebuild the huge tows from the lower Mississippi into the small 15-barge tows that can fit through the locks of the Ohio River. Also note that the Ohio River is significantly wider than the Mississippi River where they join. I have a friend who was raised in Evansville, IN, that always thought it should have been the Lower Ohio instead of the Lower Mississippi. I first noticed the widths when I saw this bridge has four towers but the Mississippi bridge has only two towers.
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| One of seven photos posted by Kenny Shaver Droppin swappin and hurry up and waitin. Cairo |
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| Confluence of America Mississippi River & Ohio River posted The US51 Ohio River "CairoIL" Bridge while it was under construction in 1935 and 1936. Barnes Marine shared Barnes Marine shared [Several political comments concerning the downfall of Cairo.] |
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| Vicki Turnbow Prater commented on Barnes' share I love taking pics of the bridges we go under! |
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| W.D. Pursell posted Bird's eye view of the confluence of the Ohio & Mississippi Rivers [This bridge is on the right. The Muddy Mississippi is indeed muddy.] Brian Klawitter: In late Jan/Feb the Mississippi cleans up so well a person can see up to 20'. Ground is frozen, no run off, no tow traffic ect. |
Jim Fredlund posted three photos with the comment:
Cairo Ohio River BridgeThe Cairo Ohio River Bridge is a cantilever bridge carrying U.S. Route 51, U.S. Route 60, and U.S. Route 62 across the Ohio River between Wickliffe, Kentucky and Cairo, Illinois. Of all the Ohio River crossings, it is the furthest downstream; the Mississippi River can be seen while crossing the bridge and looking westward.
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| Jim Fredlund posted again with this additional photo |
Mar 2025:
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| KYTC District 1 posted 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 (𝗙𝗲𝗯. 𝟮𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱) – The U.S. 51 Ohio River “Cairo” Bridge between Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill., is open. Deck railing work has been completed, and the roadway is clear. Thank you for your patience. The Cairo Bridge may be used as a detour, particularly for commercial vehicles, during the upcoming I-24 Ohio River Bridge Rehab Project. As a reminder, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on the I-24 Ohio River Bridge between Paducah and Metropolis from March 3 to October 14. Concrete barriers will be installed across the length of the bridge and width restrictions will be in effect. Due to weight, height and width restrictions, commercial vehicles are prohibited from crossing the U.S. 45 Ohio River "Brookport" Bridge between Paducah and Brookport. [That I-24 bridge has been a lemon.] KYTC District 1: The U.S. 51 Bridge Replacement Project is now in the Final Design stage. Next steps include additional geotechnical exploration and analysis, environmental permitting, Right of Way acquisition, final hydraulics analysis, detailed roadway and bridge design, and the development of construction plans. For the latest information, renderings and more, visit us51bridge.com. |
As with many other big bridges, the approaches themselves are significant bridges.
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| Todd Faulkner posted JUST IN [Mar 24, 2025]: Our Local 6 crew in the field snapped this picture from the scene of a semi truck hanging over the guardrail on the Kentucky approach of the U.S. 51 Ohio River "Cairo" Bridge. |
I hope this tied-arch bridge works better than the I-24 bridge has worked.
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| us51bridge |
Jul 6, 2026:
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| WFCN News - Swinford Media Group posted The U.S. 51 Ohio River “Cairo Bridge” connecting Wickliffe, Kentucky, and Cairo, Illinois, has been closed indefinitely after a citizen reported a noticeable change in the bridge deck Monday morning. The closure went into effect July 6 as engineers began a special inspection of the structure. Officials with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said the bridge will remain closed until inspectors complete their evaluation and determine the span is safe for travel. The bridge serves as a key connection between western Kentucky and Southern Illinois for both local traffic and commercial vehicles. Motorists are being detoured to the Interstate 24 Ohio River Bridge between Paducah and Metropolis. However, drivers should expect delays as that crossing is already operating under a construction traffic pattern with one lane open in each direction and a 10.5 foot width restriction in place. The Cairo Bridge is one of only four highway crossings between Kentucky and Illinois across the Ohio River and plays an important role in regional transportation. The existing structure opened in 1938 and has long been the focus of discussions surrounding replacement due to its age and design limitations. [That I-24 bridge always seems to be under construction. Has the Lansing bridge replacement project tied up all of the available ferries?] Tommy Burgdorf shared |
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| WFCN News - Swinford Media Group posted TRAVEL HEADACHE: Commuters between Illinois and Kentucky are now facing major impacts to their commutes as both the Cave-in-Rock Ferry in Hardin County and U.S. 51 bridge in Alexander County are now closed. The closures leave three routes of travel between the two states as of Monday; the Shawneetown Bridge as well as the Brookport Bridge and I-24 bridge which remains under construction. KYTC announced this morning that the U.S. 51 Cairo Bridge will be closed until further notice due to a structural concern with the bridge deck (upon further inspection). Meanwhile, funding disagreements continue between the operator of the Cave-in-Rock Ferry and KYTC/IDOT. How are these closures impacting you? [The the states can't keep a planned ferry crossing going, then they probably can't start an emergency replacement ferry service for US-51. It makes you appreciate that they did get a ferry service going for the Black Hawk Bridge replacement project.] |
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| Tim Moshure commented on a post It happened yesterday [Jul 6, 2026] morning. I cross it 4 times a day. It was fine at 830a.m. when I crossed and I saw it and felt it at 1030a.m the second time I crossed. Looks like at least one plate shifted. I'm not an engineer, but this isn't good. |
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| WFCN News - Swinford Media Group posted UPDATE: The U.S. 51 Cairo Bridge connecting Wickliffe, Kentucky, and Cairo, Illinois, is expected to remain closed for several weeks after engineers identified a failing section during an emergency inspection. According to the Carlisle County Emergency Management Agency, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews completed an inspection Monday and determined the problem is located on the Kentucky approach to the bridge, where a section has begun to fail. Engineers are now developing a repair plan, and contractors are expected to begin work as soon as possible. Officials say the bridge will remain closed until repairs are completed to ensure the safety of the traveling public. The bridge was shut down Monday after a citizen reported noticing a change in the bridge deck. The closure prompted a special inspection by engineers, who later identified the damaged area requiring repair. Motorists are being detoured to the Interstate 24 Ohio River Bridge between Paducah and Metropolis. Drivers should expect delays, as that crossing is already operating under a construction traffic pattern with one lane of traffic in each direction and a 10.5-foot width restriction. Officials have not announced an exact reopening date, but say the closure could last several weeks while repairs are completed. Jenn Winter: a three-inch elevation difference on the deck 😬 Kim Ford Dennis: Jenn Winter It was more than 3 inches Patty Cochran: Jenn Winter sheriff said 12 inches |
Jul 7, 2026: "Transportation officials said a bearing pad on the Kentucky approach shifted out of place, causing the bridge deck to become misaligned by about two to three inches at an expansion joint. Bearing pads act like cartilage between bridge joints, supporting the steel beams while allowing the structure to expand and contract with changes in temperature. Officials emphasized there are no concerns about the bridge’s overall structural integrity, but the bridge will remain closed until repairs are completed and it is safe to reopen to traffic. State engineers are working with the contractor and design team to finalize a repair plan as quickly as possible. However, no estimated reopening date has been announced." [post]
Repairs are supposed to start the week of July 13 and might be completed by July 22. [kfvs12]
The I-24 Bridge cannot handle the normal traffic when under construction, and US-51 being broke makes it worse.
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| Bambi Maxton posted We are definitely not going to drive into Paducah, Kentucky today. Cheryl Powell: Doesn't anyone know that the I24 bridge is half down for construction, the rt. 51 bridge is down period and repairs will start next week, and the ferry is down since last Monday due to contract talks breaking down? This has been the case since monday last week I believe. |
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| Classic KYMO posted UPDATE: The U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, Kentucky, and Cairo, Illinois, is expected to reopen to traffic late Friday, July 17, as crews wrap up bearing pad repairs, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. In addition to the repair work, crews completed a walk-through inspection while the bridge was closed. KYTC also moved a federally required biannual Nonredundant Steel Tension Member (NSTM) inspection from August to this month in an effort to reduce future traffic disruptions. A specialized team of rope-access climbers from across the country is scheduled to arrive July 19 to assist with the inspection. Beginning Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24, inspectors will use rope access and an under-bridge inspection vehicle to conduct a detailed examination of the structure. Motorists should expect one-lane, alternating traffic on the bridge from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day during the inspection period and should be prepared for possible delays while crews are working. KYTC says the additional inspection is intended to help ensure the bridge remains safe while minimizing the need for future closures. |
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| The Mike Weatherford Show posted The U.S. 51 Ohio River “Cairo” Bridge connecting Wickliffe, Kentucky, and Cairo, Illinois has reopened to traffic. The bridge officially reopened at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 17, allowing normal travel to resume across the Ohio River. [Normal except that they are going to have only one lane open for a few days to do a bridge rope-based inspection! They couldn't find a rope team to inspect while it was closed?] |
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