CLARKSVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) — Indiana drivers and local leaders want a say in the future of the Second Street Bridge as plans to remove a lane remain on hold.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced plans earlier this year to convert the 96-year-old bridge from four lanes to three. The change would leave only one lane carrying traffic from Southern Indiana into Louisville.
The proposal is currently on hold after inspectors found additional structural concerns during a recent review. KYTC said officials are evaluating repair options before moving forward.
Clarksville Town Council member Bob McEwen said maintaining traffic flow across the bridge is critical for residents who rely on it every day.
"For our community, it's very important that two lanes continue," McEwen said. "It's very important that we keep our on-ramp. So many people use that."
The Missouri Street entrance ramp has also become a concern for Clarksville leaders. McEwen said the community recently learned there had been discussions about potentially closing the ramp, which provides direct access to the bridge.
The Second Street Bridge serves as a major connection between Southern Indiana and Louisville, with thousands of drivers using it to get to work, school and businesses. A 2024 traffic count showed nearly 35,000 vehicles crossed the bridge each day, an increase from about 24,000 vehicles in 2020.
McEwen said reducing the number of lanes could create additional congestion and impact the local economy.
"So many people now count on that bridge. They can't go over to Louisville to work," McEwen said. "I totally believe it's an economic issue for us and all of our businesses in Jeffersonville and Clarksville that we keep that open so we can continue that flow of traffic."
Drivers have already seen the challenges of limited river crossings during ongoing construction on Interstate 65 and restrictions affecting other bridges. McEwen said current backups show what could happen if the Second Street Bridge loses a lane.
"It's very backed up," one driver said. "I can just see that almost even doubling if you take away a lane and then it's back in the communities."
KYTC has said the proposed changes are focused on safety and restoring the bridge's normal weight-carrying capacity. Officials said they are continuing to study traffic impacts and coordinate with local leaders before any work begins.
For now, the lane reduction remains on hold, but Indiana leaders say they want communities that rely on the bridge to be part of the conversation moving forward.
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