After 299 Days ...KY 80 E Bridge Opens

Adair County residents who live along or regularly travel on KY-80 east are now to travel their normal route after lengthy bridge project has been completed
After 299 days the bridge crossing Russell Creek on KY-80 east was reopened to traffic on Tuesday following a major rebuild of the bridge.
The bridge project was mandated by the state due to shifting in the spans and was a complete rebuild that included setting the new pillars down to the bedrock of the creek bed.
In addition the new bridge was extended 16-feet wider, which includes an emergency lane on both sides making the roadway 38-feet wide.
Kentucky Department of Transportation Public Information Officer for district 8 Stephanie Daffron said the original construction contract allowed for 80 working days, which did not include several winter months and the construction crews finished the project with one day to spare.
Adair County Judge Executive Ann Melton stated, "It’s a great day in Adair County and the bridge looks great.’
Melton went on to say, "I live out that way so I understand the inconvenience it caused our residents that live in that part of the county."
Columbia Mayor Pat Bell was also happy to hear the project was completed.
"I’m glad to see it open and the bridge looks really good."