07/16/2026
๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐ (๐๐๐น๐ ๐ญ๐ณ, ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ) โ The U.S. 51 Ohio River โCairoโ Bridge, which connects Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill., has reopened to traffic as of 1:30 p.m., Friday, July 17.
Repairs have been completed and inspected, and the bridge is safe to reopen earlier than anticipated.
All lanes are currently open.
In addition to repair operations this week, crews have also conducted a walk-through inspection as part of the biannual Nonredundant Steel Tension Member (NSTM) inspection, originally scheduled for August.
District 1 leadership worked with the state to move the inspection to July so it would line up as closely as possible with the bridge repair closure, helping minimize future traffic disruptions.
The climbing portion of the inspection is planned for next week.
Climbers and specialists using an under-bridge inspection vehicle (UBIV) will perform a thorough, hands-on inspection Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24.
Drivers should expect one-lane, alternating traffic on the bridge from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, July 20-24. Please watch for signs, follow directions from flaggers, and plan for some delays during this inspection work.
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๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ (๐๐๐น๐ ๐ญ๐ฒ, ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ) โ Repairs are underway on the U.S. 51 Ohio River โCairoโ Bridge which connects Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill.
The bridge is expected to reopen to traffic late Friday afternoon, July 17, pending any unforeseen delays.
In conjunction with this week's repairs, crews have also conducted a walk-through inspection.
The bridge's biannual Nonredundant Steel Tension Member (NSTM) inspection was originally scheduled for August, separate from bearing pad repair operations.
To help minimize future traffic disruptions, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1 leadership coordinated with the state to move the inspection into July, aligning it as closely as possible with the current bridge repair closure.
However, a portion of this federally required inspection requires a specialized team of rope-access climbers. Many of these team members are traveling to Kentucky from locations across the United States and are not scheduled to arrive until late July 19.
Climbers and specialists using an under-bridge inspection vehicle (UBIV) will perform a thorough, hands-on inspection next week, Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24.
Motorists should expect one-lane, alternating traffic on the bridge between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, July 20-24. Drivers are urged to watch for signs, follow directions from flaggers, and expect some delays.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet appreciates the public's patience as crews work to restore this critical route to full capacity as quickly and safely as possible.
