There are some conflicting statements in the forum on this bridge, and the information shown is misleading. Firstly, I field visited this bridge and ALL connections are bolted, and ALL members are rolled steel beams. In addition, a 1989 photo provides clear photographic evidence (with additional confirmation in the caption) that the bridge seen today is not historic, and is instead an all-new truss sitting on (in part) the earlier piers. The 1946 bridge had built-up beams with lattice and v-lacing, and the 1963 bridge had built-up beams with holes. http://www.kyphotoarchive.com/2017/03/06/i-75-clays-ferry-br...
A 1944 construction photo is here: http://www.kyphotoarchive.com/2014/07/02/clays-ferry-bridge-...
I can verify that the old bridge was never imploded. The original span was kept in place, twinned and then joined.
That 1946 span was erected by the Mt. Vernon Bridge Co. I think it was, at the time, the highest highway bridge east of the Mississippi. My father was the Engineer on that.
That 1946 span was erected by the Mt. Vernon Bridge Co. I think it was, at the time, the highest highway bridge east of the Mississippi. My father was the Engineer on that.
Beautiful truss, but it does look that the substructures are all that remain of the 1946 and 1963 structures that the steel truss appears to be completely replaced. Look at where the truss rests on the piers.
Information is wrong about the spans being widened to 6 lanes. The spans were replaced and the old spans were demolished, I saw them fall into the Kentucky River.
I WANTED TO KNOW FROM BRIDGE TO THE WATER, HOW MANT FEET IT IS DOWNWARD? I KNOW ITS A LONG WAY DOWN. NOT THE LITTLE CLAYS FERRY BRIDGE, BUT THE I-75 BRIDGE GOING ACROSS THE KENTUCKY RIVER. JUST CURIOUS, THANK YOU
Wanted to share a link to the clays ferry bridge dedication video on 16mm film from 1946. Only video of the dedication that I have found!
https://youtu.be/ygNU1oMwv0k