LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Clark Memorial Bridge -- known as the 2nd Street Bridge -- was closed Friday so final repairs can be made to the damage caused by a chain reaction crash on March 1 that left a semi dangling over the Ohio River with the driver trapped inside.
All lanes were shut down in both directions from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 12, to remove traffic control equipment and prepare the bridge for full reopening after completion of sidewalk and steel repairs. That's according to a news release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The bridge had been restricted to two lanes carrying southbound-only traffic from Indiana to downtown Louisville since crews began the repairs on March 20. The repairs included removal of the damaged sidewalk structure, replacement of the steel sidewalk beams and the pedestrian handrail, new concrete walking surface, utility repairs and paint touch-ups.
Officials announced shortly before 7 p.m. that the bridge had safely reopened to both northbound and southbound traffic.
Crews began work on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to repair damage to the 2nd Street/Clark Memorial Bridge caused after a four-vehicle crash sent a semitruck through the safety barriers that left it dangling over the Ohio River on March 1. (WDRB photo)
On Friday, contractors removed the temporary traffic striping and cleared the construction equipment. The roadway was then be re-striped to restore the traffic pattern to four lanes, with two lanes in each direction.
The repair project was on track to be finished nearly a week ahead of schedule, according to the release. That will help avoid disruptions as the city preps for Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 20.
The bridge is usually closed at least three days during the week leading up to Thunder, which will be broadcast on WDRB this year and streamed on the WDRB News apps.
The Clark Memorial Bridge was built in 1929 and renovated in 1958, and carries an average of 24,000 vehicles per day on U.S. 31 over the Ohio River.
Related Stories:
- Jeffersonville man charged in connection to crash that sent semitruck dangling off Second Street Bridge
- Louisville firefighter describes moment he pulled woman from semi dangling off 2nd Street Bridge
- Engineers assess damage on 2nd Street Bridge in Louisville after semitruck crash
- Rescue crews pull driver from semitruck hanging over Ohio River after collision on the 2nd Street Bridge
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