KYTC: U.S. 51 Ohio River ‘Cairo’ Bridge inspection finished

(KFVS) - The inspection of the U.S. 51 Ohio River “Cairo” Bridge is finished.

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, climbers finished their last round of work on Saturday afternoon, August 27.

The inspection was finished about five days earlier than expected.

KYTC said no further traffic restrictions will be required on the bridge and all lanes are open.

The “Cairo” Bridge carries approximately 5,800 vehicles across the Ohio River each day between Wickliffe, Ky. and Cairo, Ill.

According to KYTC, about 35 percent of those vehicles are commercial trucks.

The Cairo Bridge immediately connects with the U.S. 60/U.S. 62 Mississippi River Bridge that connects Missouri and Illinois. The east-west traffic on U.S. 60 and U.S. 62 combines with the north-south traffic on U.S. 51 to create a critical transportation link.

The U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge opened to traffic on November 11, 1936.

Tolls were removed from the crossing on November 11, 1948, when the highway departments of Kentucky and Illinois took over maintenance of the structure.

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