In a press release today, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear announced today an award of a contract to build the first twin Lake Bridges in Jackson Purchase of Western Kentucky. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded the Johnson Brothers Corp., of Fort Worth, TX the $131.5 million dollar project. The western entrance to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area will have a four lane bridge carrying U.S. 68/KY 80 over Kentucky Lake.
Governor Steve Beshear says, “The replacement of the bridges over Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley have been a priority of my administration because of their importance to the tourism industry of western Kentucky.
The new bridge will replace the Eggners Ferry Bridge, built in 1932, ceased to meet modern design standards for the amount of traffic it accommodates. The Lake Bridges Project also includes replacement of the Henry Lawrence Memorial Bridge on Lake Barkley. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is aiming for another contract for the second bridge by December 2014.
Once completed the Lakes Bridges Project will provide a four –lane route from Aurora to Cadiz, crossing both lakes and Land Between the Lakes. It will also be part of a four-lane corridor from Mayfield to Bowling Green. More information on the project is available at www.lakebridges.com