JACKSON, Ky. — An old Kentucky bridge is looking for a new home, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC).

As part of the Bridging Kentucky initiative, the state plans to replace a nearly century-old bridge at Jeff in Perry County with a modern span. The existing bridge is a two-span pony truss bridge that carries Kenmont Road over the North Fork of the Kentucky River. Built in 1926, the bridge has been deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It's approximately 202 feet long with a 20-foot wide concrete deck.

The old bridge has to be removed to make room for the new bridge; however, KYTC and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) don't want to see the historic bridge disappear. 

Built in 1926, the bridge has been deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Image courtesy of KYTC.

A program is in place that allows government agencies, historic preservation organizations, or individuals to re-erect the bridge if its original characteristics are retained at the new site. To be eligible for the program, historic organizations and individuals must be approved by the state historic preservation officer.

KYTC and FHWA will pay the costs of marking parts of the bridge, disassemby, transportation to the new site, and off-loading, given that those costs don't exceed the cost of demolition. 

One or both of the bridge's spans may be relocated to a new site, and the recipient is responsible for all other costs, such as site preparation, reassembly, replacement of parts suitable for the proposed use at the new location, and construction of approaches. The recipient also handles maintenance, liability, and permits associated with the bridge.

The bridge's potential uses vary. It could be used on a walking or bicycling trail in a city or county park, a stream crossing for a cart path at a golf course, or installed by a property owner as a unique stream crossing for a private driveway.

District 10 bridges previously offered up for relocation failed to find a home, meaning they were ultimately demolished. The Kenmont Bridge, however, is smaller than the ones previously advertised.

“The district has done these relocation offers in the past, and received national and international press coverage, with inquiries from all across the United States and from as far away as Great Britain,” said Brandon Baker, environmental coordinator for the Department of Highways District 10 in Jackson, who oversees the bridge relocation program for the district. “The costs for moving a bridge in this manner would tend to limit participation to in or near Kentucky,” Baker said, “but we welcome inquiries from anyone who might be interested in giving this bridge a new lease on life.”

H.B. Elkins, District 10's public information officer, reflected on the international interest in previous bridge relocation offers.

“When word spread of one of our previous bridge relocation offers, we got calls from media outlets far and near,” Elkins said. “Reuters called, along with several other national news agencies. SiriusXM Radio featured us on their Road Dog Trucking channel. The story got picked up from coast to coast, and it generated a lot of interest. It put a positive international spotlight on our region. People were genuinely curious about the state giving away a bridge.”

Eligible recipients can receive additional information from Baker at the District 10 office located at 473 Highway 15 South, Jackson, by writing him at P.O. Box 621, Jackson, KY 41339, by emailing him at brandon.baker2@ky.gov, or by calling him at (606) 693-5444.

Letters of interest and written proposals for the relocation of the bridge will be accepted until March 1, 2021. Baker said all proposals will be seriously considered.

Haeli Spears is a digital producer with Spectrum News 1 Kentucky. She is a University of Louisville graduate who started her career with Spectrum News in May, 2020.