The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans to open the New Brown Badgett Loop Connector Bridge in Hopkins County on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013.
The contractor has completed work along KY 1069/Stagecoach Road near the intersection with the new connector allowing the new railroad overpass and connector to open at about 7:00 a.m., CST, Friday.
According to KYTC District 2 Chief Engineer Kevin McClearn, all work at the site has been completed.
“This connector provides an important link for the Madisonville-North Hopkins High School Campus and nearby residents,” McClearn said. “The new connector and overpass can handle bus traffic, as well as providing a much-needed outlet for other school traffic.”
The connector has been closed since 2007 when inspectors found structural issues with the old wooden structure at the site. Fitting a modern concrete bridge onto the limited right of way space while meeting the needs of the railroad, school traffic, and nearby property owners created a challenge for the KYTC District 2 engineering and design staff.
McClearn noted that a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new bridge will likely be scheduled at a later date.
The New Brown Badgett Loop Connector intersection on KY 1069/Stagecoach Road is at mile point 1.632 between Robert Lane and J.D. Buchanan Road. Motorists are urged to be alert for changes in traffic flow the new connector may create in the area.
Construction on the New Brown Badgett Loop Connector Overpass started April 8. The new structure will serve as an extra entrance point to Madisonville-North Hopkins High School from KY 1069/Stagecoach Road.
The new concrete bridge is designed to handle school bus traffic, which was unable cross the old wooden structure.
Alignment of the new structure pulls off of Stagecoach Road north of the old bridge. The new bridge crosses the railroad tracks at an angle and ties into Brown Badgett Loop south of the old bridge location providing a safer connecting point and additional traffic storage for vehicles seeking to access KY 1069 from the school and nearby neighborhoods.
Jim Smith Contracting Company, LLC, is the prime contractor on the $1.8 million project.
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