A $1.5 million state highway improvement project to replace the KY 70 (Beulah Road) bridge over Richland Creek will start this month to ensure a safer, more reliable journey for Hopkins County motorists and farmers.
The aging bridge, which first opened in 1965, will be replaced by a new modern structure to assure safer travel for years to come.
Construction will start Monday, June 24, and requires the bridge to be closed for demolition and to safely build the new structure. Work is expected to take about three months.
There will be a marked detour in place for the duration of the project. The detour route is awaiting final approval, but the proposal would utilize Carbondale Road, Witchcraft Road and Elva Road.
Due to the presence of low and narrow overhead railroad crossings on that route, large commercial vehicles and farm equipment are urged to select a different route.
The new bridge should be open by the end of September, and will serve about 2,000 vehicles that use KY 70 each day.
The work is being done by Hinkle Construction Services LLC under a contract with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
