Kentucky officials are studying ferry service to move traffic across Kentucky Lake until the U.S. 68/Route 80 bridge can be repaired after a 322-ft span collapsed in a Jan. 26 ship collision. An underwater inspection team from Collins Engineers Inc., Chicago, has found "no significant damage" to the old steel-truss-bridge piers, Gov. Steve Beshear (D) announced on Feb. 17.
Geotechnical work is under way for a planned four-lane replacement bridge, but the $165-million structure is still years from completion, say Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials. Surveys of the 3,000-ft-long bridge continue, but Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock says the finding "should help simplify efforts to replace the missing truss-and-deck section."