Motorists traveling along U.S. 431 just south of Owensboro should prepare for traffic delays over the next 6-8 months as a bridge replacement project gets underway.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced that contractors will soon begin replacing the 83-year-old Panther Creek bridge near the Pettit community. The work will temporarily restrict traffic to one lane once construction begins in earnest.
Initial lane restrictions will be in place April 17 as crews begin installing an arm on a crane needed for the project. Officials said flaggers will be on site to direct traffic safely across the bridge during that process. Both lanes are expected to reopen after Thursday’s work and remain open until demolition begins.
Full construction is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks, though floodwaters in the area have delayed the exact start date.
Once construction starts, the bridge will be reduced to one lane for the duration of the project. Traffic will be guided by temporary signals and restricted to vehicles no wider than 11 feet. Crews will work on one side of the bridge at a time — demolishing and rebuilding each section in sequence.
Each half of the bridge is expected to take 60 to 90 days to complete, with full project completion targeted for the end of November, officials said.
More than 10,000 vehicles pass along the U.S. 431 corridor into Owensboro each day, according to KYTC.
