KYTC plans to reopen KY-136 by end of October

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – Officials with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announce that a plan is in place to allow KY-136 in Henderson to be reopened to traffic by the end of October.

This is located over Pond Creek, located about ten miles west of Henderson. Officials state it closed on May 10 after an inspection, which included an underwater review of its flooded steel substructure by contract divers, found significant deterioration that required immediate closure to protect motorists and farmers.

Officials say the closure was unexpected, and since replacing the bridge was not on the radar, the structure was not included on the state road plan, which funds road and bridge construction and repairs through the beginning of 2026.

Officials say rather than waiting to secure funding for design, development and construction of a traditional poured concrete structure in the 2026 budget, KYTC is moving ahead with the purchase and installation of an aluminum box culvert.

Officials explain the aluminum structures are designed by engineers to match the specifications and needs of the location, manufactured in a facility off-site and then assembled on location in just a matter of days after being delivered, coming at a significantly reduced cost and timeline compared to a traditional poured concrete bridge.

Officials say the new aluminum bridge was ordered earlier this week and is expected to be delivered around the first of October when KYTC personnel will demolish the old bridge and have the location prepped for installation before the new bridge arrives on site.

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