Floyd County Bridge Closed Due to Crash Damage
PIKEVILLE, Ky. – A bridge located at mile point 2.05 along KY 550 in Floyd County has been closed to all traffic due to significant damage to the guard rail after a vehicle collision. The crash occurred the night of May 3 on the KY 550 Joseph Gearheart Bridge over Brush Creek near the intersection with KY 850. The closed bridge is located along KY 550, 2.05 miles north of the intersection with KY 7 and 2.50 miles west of the intersection with KY 80.
The bridge has been closed and barricaded by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet personnel with advance warning signs and variable message boards placed at each end of KY 550. Detour is provided by way of KY 80 via KY 7 at Garret or KY 550 at Eastern.
The 90-year-old bridge has a posted weight limit of three tons and was already scheduled for a complete replacement this summer. That work will now be accelerated to start next week. The bridge will remain closed and a signed detour in place for the duration of the construction project.
The new KY 550 bridge is expected to open to traffic in August.
