FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Singing Bridge, an essential route for Frankfort drivers, is closed indefinitely while it undergoes needed repairs.

What You Need To Know

  • Frankfort’s historic Singing Bridge is closed indefinitely after deficiencies were found

  • The closure of the Singing Bridge poses a roadblock for first responders

  • Katrisha Waldridge is a city commissioner who thinks the bridge is important for its utility and its historic significance

  • The bridge is closed to traffic and pedestrians

Frankfort City Commissioner Katrisha Waldridge says that Kentucky’s capital city is a quaint town, growing its downtown area on both sides of the bridge.

“A lot of times there are businesses or organizations here that live in the bottom and most of the time up front, we have residents that are living there that are renting maybe one- or two-bedroom apartments,” she explained while walking through the downtown streets. 

A soup kitchen, public library, police, emergency medical services and other services surround the historic Singing Bridge. 

Waldridge says that after an annual inspection, the state’s emergency management closed it down indefinitely until solutions for its repair are finalized.

“But it’s very dangerous. And as you can see, no matter how many signs, gates or things we put up, people will still try to get over this bridge because it is a shortcut from one side of the bridge to the other,” she shared. 

Waldridge says over the years, the collective weight limit for this bridge has dropped by around a ton each year; four tons or more prevent emergency responders from being able to use the quick-connecting route. 

“They’ll now have a longer service time. They’ll have to go down Second Street, they’ll have to go over the Capital Bridge, and then back up to get over into our downtown, which then will make for a longer call time to an emergency,” Waldrige said.

Waldridge says the bridge has been a topic of concern for city commissioners in her six years there. “But in order to keep this bridge in, we’re going to have to put more finances in,” she said.

The city of Frankfort is planning to apply for $9.8 million to support the bridge with grants, with up to $2 million from state funds, and money from the city, which will match $360,000. 

Waldridge says the bridge, opened in 1893, has a history worth preserving and is still important to the community.

“Right now, in the crossroads that we are in our community, we have two bridges right now that are in our community that’s on the headlines, which is Broadway Bridge, and this bridge. And Broadway Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that they’re trying to save and turn into a pedestrian bridge which goes to nowhere,” she explained. “This bridge goes somewhere and everywhere in our community,” she said of the Singing Bridge's significance.

Waldridge says she and the city are striving for a safe driving, bike-friendly and walkable community for this area.

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