Madison-Milton Bridge

From the Louisville Courier-Journal: 6/17/10

The U.S. Department of Transportation has given final approval for construction to begin on a $130 million project to replace the deteriorating bridge connecting Madison, Ind., with Milton, Ky., along U.S. 421.

The federal agency on Thursday finalized a $20 million federal stimulus grant awarded in February by signing the grant agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Indiana Department of Transportation. The two states will provide the balance of the funding.

A 15-ton weight limit was placed on the bridge last year after inspectors found what they called advanced deterioration in the span built in 1929. About 10,700 vehicles cross the bridge each day.

Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said in a news release, "Replacing this bridge has been a top priority." The existing steel superstructure of the bridge will be removed and a new bridge will then be built over the existing piers. Bicycle and pedestrian access are included in the plan.

from the bridge website: In the last half of 2010, INDOT anticipates letting a contract to construct a new superstructure for the Ohio River Bridge connecting Madison, Indiana and Milton, Kentucky. As part of this contract, the Bridge will be allowed to be closed for up to 365 days requiring ferry service during the closure.

i live about an hour from this bridge, but I'm waiting for the bridge to be closed before i walk across it. Just due to the fact the bridge is extremely narrow. But if you could find some steel stamps and maybe a plaque. that would be awesome. I'm still mad about the fact that the bridge is slated for demolition. But Indiana has placed it on its reuse list, were people can reuse the bridge. no idea were you would put this bridge. though it would make a great trail bridge across the Ohio river.

I usually wait until after I visit a bridge to discuss it, unless I have or need some information on it. In this case, it's both. I'm visiting this bridge this summer, likely my only chance ever, and I want to make it count. Also, I've been looking at the pictures, and it's quite a peculiar design.

By the time this bridge was built, the Warren truss had become the most popular design for long highway bridges, but the designer here almost seems to have tried to avoid using it, save for possibly four panels near the north end. The three main spans have span types in an arrangement I've never seen before. I see a large Baltimore truss span (a design well past its heyday), onto which a Pratt cantilever arm is hung at each each end. From there, it gets complicated. To the south, suspended from the cantilever arm is a Pratt arm which is supported on a pier at its south end. To the north, another Pratt span appears to be suspended from that cantilever arm and another short cantilever arm on the next pier, which appears to be anchored by an arm that can't decide whether it wants to be Pratt, K, or Warren truss. The last span of the through truss is a simple five-panel Pratt, which is followed by three spans of Pratt deck truss.

I'm planning to visit this and several other notable through-truss bridges in western Kentucky later this month, and this is probably the one I'll spend the most time and film on. I'll probably have to cross it several times to get what I want, both from the ground and from the bridge itself. So here's what I want to ask: Are there any particular shots I should try to get that haven't been gotten yet before it's too late? I mean, anything that's not going to get police involved or require a boat or plane?

And finally, I have seen the renderings of the new bridge. While I'm very pleased that they have chosen a steel through-truss bridge (Kentucky is one of the few states still excited about those, in strong contrast with their neighbor to the south), I am somewhat sad that it comes at the cost of the unique arrangement and types of the existing structure. I will say, however, that the new bridge is extremely reminiscent of the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge that I had the pleasure of walking across earlier this year, with its long, multiple-span Warren truss and the sidewalk on the side (the M&A has two). A pleasant difference, however, is that this one will have shoulders!

This is one of the most unusual and important remaining cantilever bridges on the Ohio River. The planned demolition of this bridge is needless and pointless, and represents a significant failure of surface transportation policy. Further, I am disappointed that Madison, Indiana who touts itself as a destination for heritage tourism did not vocally fought to save this bridge. I have reviewed the inspection files and there is nothing irreparable in this bridge. Appropriate solutions would have been rehab for continued use and/or construction of a new bridge at a completely different location to form a truck route to relieve traffic on the narrow historic bridge. Actually a crossing some distance to the east at Carrollton, KY would have been a good investment because it would allow for a closer tie in to I-71 using KY-227. More costly, yes, but this would create additional crossings, relieve traffic congestion, and make travel more convenient.

im sad this bridge has been slated for demolition. And looks like it will be replaced by a modern cantilevered bridge. The dates are still in flux. but at this moment if the funds were approved the bridge would be closed starting 2011. and opened 2012 with the new truss. My heart is deeply saddened by this bridges removal.

http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2010/02/15/daily42.html

I noticed that picture I posted on March 20, 2009 isn't even on google streetview anymore. It skips right over it like they edited that one picture out. Lol, good thing I saved it.

It is obvious that the new bridge needs a name other than Milton-Madison so the people in Indiana may get it right. I suggest the Abraham Lincoln Bridge since Lincoln lived both in Kentucky and Indiana.

Here are some close up pictures of some of the deterioration on the bridge. These were taken very recently. I don't think I'll be crossing that bridge again. I don't cross it very often but when I do I think I'll be taking the Markland Dam. I'd rather drive a few extra miles than risk my life. You can view more information about the bridge inspection and replacement at http://www.miltonmadisonbridge.com/news-center.aspx

The bridge is owned by Kentucky. That's why the name is Milton Madison.

The progress of the Milton-Madison Bridge Project can now be followed at www.miltonmadisonbridge.com.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me the logical choice for the site of the new bridge would be on the same site as the old bridge. A new bridge superstructure and butressed piers will cost taxpayers enough as it is without having to design and build new approaches on both sides of the river as well. Just an opinion, of course.

Lol, check out this picture on Google street view. That guy is insane!

The bridge will soon have a 15 ton weight restriction. There is some interesting information on the website.

"Why is the weight limit posting necessary?

There are several fracture critical members suffering from significant section loss or

cracking. This has compromised their strength. By removing the large trucks on the

bridge we reduce the stress levels on these members."

Is the bridge safe for passenger vehicles?

We believe the bridge to be safe for cars and box trucks. Otherwise the bridge would be

closed. The posted limit has the effect of restricting commercial vehicle traffic such as

tractor-trailers and dump trucks from the bridge.

Yikes, I don''t cross that often but if I do I think I'll use the Markland Dam. They "believe" the bridge is safe, did they just clap their hands together three times and say "I believe!"? I know if you have to cross everyday that isn't a great option since it's 26 miles away.

The correct name of this bridge is the Milton-Madison bridge.

Information about replacing the bridge can be found here

http://www.miltonmadisonbridge.com/

Is there or was there a sister bridge to the Madison Milton bridge across the Ohio River?

Bridge is currently down to one lane while crews gather core samples.

You are now able to travel this bridge via google streetview!

Went by the bridge on September 15th and it was as open as ever. Must not have been closed long.

As of September 14th the bridge is closed to traffic as a precaution due to reports that pieces of concrete were blown off by the recent wind storms. It will remain closed until the Transportation Cabinet can inspect it and declare it safe.

Here is a link to the news story about it

http://www.fox41.com/Global/story.asp?S=9007167

As of September 14th this bridge is closed due to reports of concrete being blown off by the recent wind storm. It will be closed until it can be inspected and declared safe.

Here are a couple of very interesting historical pictures of the bridge. The first one is construction of the bridge in 1928. The second picture is the from the first year the bridge was opened in 1929. Some interesting facts, the first person to cross the bridge was an 11 year old boy on a bicycle. The first vehicle to cross was a greyhound bus.

No pedestrians are allowed on this bridge.

State and Federal Governments constantly argue over where the funding of such projects should originate. But one can rest assured that if the bridge were to be suddenly rendered unusable - or collapse, God forbid, funding would somehow be found to replace it immediately. Why doesn't the State of Kentucky simply float a 20-30 year bond for their portion of the cost to replace the bridge, and the recover the cost by assessing tolls from those who use it, much like they did when the bridge was first erected?

In 2008-2009 this bridge will be 80 yrs old. It has a rating of 40.10 that is totally unacceptable. It's frightening that every day hundreds of cars cross this bridge and it is deemed to be that unsafe.

I fortunatly do no have to cross this bridge very often except to visit family, but every time I do my heart is in my throat wondering if it will collaspe like the Silver Bridge did into the Ohio River in 1967 or the Minn. bridge did on Aug 1st 2007 into the Mississippi River.

What does it take to replace this bridge?? The thing falling in like the Silver Bridge or the Minn. one with dozens of people hurt & killed??? I blame this on the Govenor of both IN & KY, the state DOT in both state and any one else who is blocking the replacement of this bridge. If it falls in, any one who is killed, their blood is on your hands.

I live in Madison,have all my life, This bridge is so unsafe,Our Mayor has been trying forever to get a new one started but this belongs to Kentucky and they say there is no money available, a group of kids did a report on it 2 yrs ago took pictures of the rusted out bolts and beams on this thing when traffic crosses it you can see them wiggle back and forth, Why cant we get something done before we end up like those poor people in Minnesota? Kentucky says they will put it in a 10yr plan.Please help us this is the only bridge that crosses the river for a 40 mile stretch in either direction it was built in 1928-29 not built for all the heavy traffic it carries everyday.

As of Aug 2006, Indiana and Kentucky have funded the environmental and engineering studies to begin the process of replacing this bridge with a modern structure. Location, design and cost for the new bridge may be shaping up to be a bone of contention. The fate of the current structure is also in question. Some interest in converting it to a pedestrian bridge has been expressed.