PADUCAH/BROOKPORT – The U.S. 45 Ohio River “Brookport” Bridge, between Paducah and Brookport, reopened to traffic Monday afternoon after being closed since Saturday due to guardrail and railing damage caused by weekend traffic crash.                             

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet office in Paducah, engineers evaluated the damage and state crews were able to start repairs Monday to reopen the critical link for commuters. 

The crash caused significant damage to a section of guardrail along the bridge deck and damage to a deck railing support. It also bent a section of the bridge railing, so it extended into the roadway. A KYTC District 1 bridge crew and engineers started the repair effort Monday morning.

The repair team was able to start their work more quickly than expected when engineers found steel in inventory on a supply yard matching the railing on the 95-year-old structure. That allowed repairs to start immediately instead of having to wait for several days while steel was being fabricated.

The bridge reopened to traffic at about 3:15 p.m. Monday.