1930 Old KY-7+32 Laurel Gorge Bridge over Little Sandy River near Newfoundland, KY

(Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; B&T; Satellite)

For the second time within a week I have seen Kentucky deciding to save a truss bridge. (The first was the bridge at Irvine.)

All three available street views are from the southbound lane. Two bad that at least one of them wasn't northbound, then we could see over the guard rail. But this view does show the rust before the bridge was recently rehabilitated.

Street View, Nov 2015

It is amazing how quickly a bridge can rust once the paint becomes marginal. This photo was just five years earlier than the street view.

Nov 2010 Photo by C Hanchey via BridgeHunter

Bill has posted many detailed shots on BridgeHunter. I copied this one because it shows part of the UCEB (Ugly Concrete Eyesore Bridge) that replaced this one. That bridge leaps over the valley. This one requires windy roads that go down into and then out of the valley. 

Jun 2010 Photo by Bill Eichelberger via BridgeHunter

The bridge was closed to traffic because of structural concerns. The weight limit was done to 3 tons at the time of the closure. After rehabilitation, it is rated at 15 tons "to serve local residents and schools buses, as well as outdoor enthusiasts visiting cliff-lined Laurel Gorge." Another reason to rehabilitate the bridge for $989,000 is that it carries utility lines. [LaneReport]

1 of 6 photos posted by Bridges & Tunnels
The Bridging Kentucky program is an initiative of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to either rehabilitate or replace structurally deficient bridges across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In 2021, the KYTC awarded a contract to rehabilitate the circa 1930 Laurel Gorge Bridge to allow it to reopen to traffic after a period of closure because of structural concerns. The cost-efficient project involved adding reinforcement plates, replacing rivets, strengthening steel beams, and painting the superstructure. It looks good as new!
➤ Additional photos of this bridge can be found at http://bridgestunnels.com/location/laurel-gorge-bridge/
[It looks like someone should rehabilitate the utility pipe.]

Normally, the guard rails are replaced in the name of safety. The heavy I-beams on the top and bottom of these rails is probably what saved the lattice design of these guard rails.

Jun 2010 Photo by Bill Eichelberger via BridgeHunter

The rocky walls of the gorge is part of the appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.

Darlene oranglas, May 2019