Historic bridge one of many deemed 'unsafe'

An historic bridge in Shelby County, Ky., may be closed after it was deemed unsafe in a recent state inspection. The bridge is among several cited in a recent state inspection report as having critical structural deficiencies, and similar reports are available in every state.

The Whoda Thot It Bridge was scheduled to be replaced as a part a two-year state plan, but the bridge was subsequently placed lower on the state's priority list, Lisa King of The Sentinel-News reports. An estimated $1.1 million in repairs are needed, and state officials decided the cost was too high for the rural area that the bridge serves. The bridge is named for a Sentinel-News column written by the late Bennett Roach.

Judge-Executive Rob Rothenburger says he has instructed the county road supervisor to be ready to close the bridge Tuesday following the fiscal court meeting, King reports. The length of the proposed closure will be set by the fiscal court and could become permanent pending a public hearing. Officials had hoped to repair the bridge because of its historic value. (Read more)