CSX - Kentucky Lake Bridge

Calvin,

Nice to see you back! I really enjoy your contributions and would love to see your photos of this structure. Regarding of the build date of the bridge, I suspect the pin connected spans date to the late 1890s or the early 1900s.

An update.. I hiked to this bridge in 2016 and spent four hours taking many pictures from underneath it. Later, I spent time on the adjacent Hickman-Lockhart while not impeding traffic and also photographed each railroad span several times. Never saw any police, although I'll admit to timing my photography to lulls in the traffic flow. I don't seek trouble while bridge-hunting and ordinarily will try to avoid it, however I won't let someone keep me from lawfully enjoying the passion of taking pictures of a beautiful bridge. Got great pictures in this case. But nonetheless, my defense would have stood, had I encountered any resistance.

As previously mentioned, this bridge was recycled. It was originally on the IC mainline between Paducah and Louisville over the TN River. When Kentucky Dam was built, the railroad crossed the river on the dam, so the bridge was surplus. The NC&Stl bought the bridge and floated it upstream.

I would comment that until Congress comes to its senses and repeals the Patriot Act (they just renewed it), some of the statements made below may be untrue.

That said, I have not yet encountered any serious problems during my career of historic bridge photography. As such, Calvin's advice below is sound.

Remember... there is no law that says you cannot take a picture of something if you are standing on public property, and, are not blocking or impeding the flow of traffic. If the "railroad police" don't want you taking pictures of their bridge and you're standing alongside a public street, highway or road, they need to cover it up with a big blanket, or, one of those tarps you get at the Wally World.

Always stand on either public property, or, private property on which you have the owner's permission.

As long as you are a bridge enthusiast and not a terrorist, you should be fine.

Quite an undertaking!

The facts ought to include the recycling of this bridge from it's original site near Kentucky Dam. This bridge was moved nearly a hundred miles when the dam was built.

thanks, GOO

I passed this bridge on my way to see the Duck River Bridge. I was not expecting it, so to all of a sudden see this gigantic bridge was a surprise. I have searched for info on this bridge but can not find anything. The photos were taken in a hurry because I already have 2 strikes against me from the "railroad police" in Tennessee. Trespassing AND taking photos on or near a railroad bridge gets you investigated by the FBI in certain cities. I just was not willing to get in trouble this time.