Major bridge work will begin next week in Ohio County and last until 2026.
Scott and Murphy, Inc., a contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), plans to begin a $9.6 million multi-year project to improve motorist safety along the Hwy 136 (Sebree-Hartford Road) corridor in Ohio County, near the McLean County line.
Around 1,500 vehicles utilize this roadway each day, according to the KYTC.
The project will ultimately see the replacement of bridges over Stillhouse Branch (.02 mile point), Hanley Creek (1.07 mp), Barnett Creek (3.4 mp), Toms Branch (5.4 mp), Little No Creek (5.7 mp) and No Creek (5.9 mp).
Grading and drainage upgrades will also take place throughout the corridor.
The project will be conducted in multiple phases to reduce the impact on traffic. During the project, motorists will experience numerous lane restrictions and traffic shifts as work progresses and two planned road closures as bridges are replaced. Both closures will include a marked detour and will be scheduled during summer months so that school traffic will not be delayed.
- The contractor plans to begin earthwork near the Barnett Creek Bridge on Monday, followed by the construction of a new bridge adjacent to the existing span. The anticipated completion of the bridge is slated for early spring, but motorists shouldn’t expect to start using the structure until early 2026, near the end of the project.
- Work at Hanley Creek bridge is scheduled to begin in March 2025. A temporary bridge will be installed, diverting traffic around the existing bridge as it is demolished and a new bridge is constructed. The structures is expected to open to traffic in July 2025, the KYTC said.
- Crews plan to close the Stillhouse Branch bridge in June 2025 to install a new arch culvert bridge. There will be a marked detour, as installing a temporary structure is not possible at this location. The bridge is scheduled to reopen in July.
- The contractor will then move to the No Creek bridge, once again installing a temporary bridge while the existing structure is replaced. This bridge is anticipated to open by November 2025.
- The Little No Creek bridge will close in late 2025 with an anticipated reopening planned for April 2026. The contractor then plans to complete work required to transition traffic to the new Barnett Creek bridge.
- A road closure is also planned at Toms Creek bridge. While the contractor has expressed interest in conducting this work during the summer of 2025, out of consideration for local school traffic, it will not be scheduled until the planned closure at Stillhouse Branch is completed.
If enough time remains to complete this structure before the start of the 2025-26 school year, it will move forward in 2025. If there is insufficient time, the project will be scheduled for June 2026.
The final completion date for the entire project is October 2026. The project schedule is subject to change due to weather and other factors.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
