Irvin S. Cobb Bridge

Brookport Bridge
The bridge in 2022
Coordinates37°06′53″N 88°37′45″W / 37.11465°N 88.62915°W / 37.11465; -88.62915
Carries2 lanes of US 45
CrossesOhio River
LocalePaducah, KY and Brookport, IL
Official nameIrvin S. Cobb Bridge
Maintained byKentucky Transportation Cabinet[1]
Characteristics
DesignTruss bridge
Total length5,385.8 ft (1,641.6 m)
Width19.7 ft (6.0 m)
Longest span711.0 ft (216.7 m)
Load limit15 short tons (13,607.8 kg)
Clearance above9 ft 6 in (2.9 m)
History
Construction end1929
Location

The Brookport Bridge (officially the Irvin S. Cobb Bridge) is a ten-span, steel deck (grate), narrow two-lane truss bridge that carries U.S. Route 45 (US 45) across the Ohio River in the U.S. states of Illinois and Kentucky. It connects Paducah, Kentucky, north to Brookport, Illinois.[2]

The bridge is named after Irvin S. Cobb, an author and journalist who was born in Paducah. The bridge was originally built by a private company and operated as a toll bridge. The state of Kentucky subsequently purchased the bridge from its builders.[citation needed]

The bridge is notoriously difficult to cross, due to its very narrow lanes and steel grate deck. It is restricted to vehicles less than 8 feet (2.4 m) in width and 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 m) in height, preventing most commercial vehicles from using the bridge. The nearby Interstate 24 Bridge can be used instead.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application".
  2. ^ Baughn, James; et al. (July 9, 2005). "Brookport Bridge". Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  3. ^ Adeleye, Temi (September 18, 2019). "Brookport Bridge now open, but with tougher restrictions for trucks". WPSD Local 6. Retrieved August 15, 2022.

External links