By Amy Woolvett
THE COAST GUARD
Work has continued on the bridge in Welshtown connecting to Lower Ohio.
The century-old bridge was lifted out and the new two-lane Bailey bridge was put in its place.
“It’s all galvanized steel and exceptionally strong,” said one of the construction supervisors on site, Bill Thurston. “It is built to last virtually forever and will make coming and going much easier for people in the community.”
He said that while the old bridge was salvageable, the amount of work that would need to go into it made it better to install the newer and wider bridge.
“When it was made it was built for horse and buggies,” he said. “It’s amazing how these old bridges could still handle the loads that they do.”
The new bridge was rolled into place slowly and accurately but it will still take more time before work is completed and the road is reopened.
“We get to play like a child again,” laughed Thurston. “It’s like a great big Lego set.”
