FRANKFORT, KY — In Pulaski County, Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to Governor Andy Beshear, cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Fishing Creek Bridge as it reopened to traffic to provide an improved, longer-lasting connection for the people of Nancy, Somerset, and surrounding communities in Kentucky.
“This bridge has provided access for tens of thousands of families since the 1950s, and we’re excited to complete these renovations to extend its lifespan so it can serve many more,” Adkins said. “This project preserves the major strides we’ve made as a state, not just in transportation, but in how we support our communities."
Adkins joined officials with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), local officials, and community members at the Fishing Creek Bridge in Nancy to announce substantial completion of the $8.6 million project that modernized the bridge’s structural components while preserving its historic integrity. After a temporary six-month closure for the overhaul, the bridge is now open to traffic.
“Reliable, well-maintained, and robust transportation infrastructure not only provides safe passage for Kentuckians, it connects them to opportunities,” KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said. “We are fortunate enough to revitalize this bridge so it can continue to serve this community for years to come.”
The bridge, which carries Kentucky Highway 80 and more than 5,200 motorists daily across Fishing Creek, a tributary of Lake Cumberland, first opened in 1951. A renovation and repair project was awarded last year that included a new deck, rail, floor beams, and connections engineered to ensure the safe passage for all motorists.
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The bridge closed to all traffic on November 11, 2024, to expedite repairs. Additional repairs to floor beams were required during construction, which continued through the winter and spring, until the bridge’s opening, 185 days later.
Although the bridge is now open to traffic, it is still an active construction zone while the finishing touches are made.
