Cairo Ohio River Bridge

Cairo Ohio River Bridge
Coordinates36°59′37″N 89°08′46″W / 36.9935°N 89.1462°W / 36.9935; -89.1462
Carries2 lanes of US 51 / US 60 / US 62
CrossesOhio River
LocaleWickliffe, Kentucky and Cairo, Illinois
Maintained byKentucky Transportation Cabinet
Characteristics
DesignCantilever bridge
Total length5,863.7 feet (1,787.3 m)
Width20 feet (6.1 m)
Longest span800 feet (240 m)
19.6 feet (6.0 m)
History
OpenedNovember 11, 1938[1]
Location
Interactive map of Cairo Ohio River Bridge

The Cairo Ohio River Bridge is a cantilever bridge carrying U.S. Route 51, U.S. Route 60, and U.S. Route 62[2] across the Ohio River between Wickliffe, Kentucky[2] and Cairo, Illinois. Of all the Ohio River crossings, it is the furthest downstream; the Mississippi River can be seen while crossing the bridge and looking westward.

This is an authorized truck route.

On July 6, 2026, the bridge was closed due to a partial structural failure.[3] It was reopened on July 17, 2026.[4]

History

Construction was awarded to Modjeski and Masters and the Mt. Vernon Bridge Co.[5] It was finished on November 11, 1938.[1]

The bridge's tolls were removed in 1948.

The Cairo Ohio River Bridge was rehabilitated in 1979 and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Photograph of bridge plaque". Bridgehunter.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Ohio River bridge between Cairo, Wickliffe reopens". Southeast Missourian. May 15, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  3. ↑ Parker, Waylin Walls (July 7, 2026). "Cairo bridge shutdown turns 20-minute trips into 90-minute detours". WSIL News. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  4. ↑ "U.S. 51 Ohio River 'Cairo' Bridge reopens". kfvs12.com. July 17, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Cairo Ohio River Bridge". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
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