I-24 Ohio River Bridge reopens after overnight barge strike

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — All lanes on the Interstate 24 Ohio River Bridge between Paducah, Kentucky, and Metropolis, Illinois, have reopened following an overnight closure caused by a barge strike.

According to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1, traffic was blocked in both directions around 2 a.m. after the U.S. Coast Guard reported that a boat or barge struck the bridge. Debris reportedly fell from the structure.

A certified bridge inspector was dispatched to assess the bridge’s piers and overall structure. Traffic remained closed pending the safety inspection.

By 3:20 a.m., officials announced that all lanes had reopened.

During the closure, passenger vehicles were detoured to the U.S. 45 Ohio River “Brookport” Bridge between Paducah and Brookport, Illinois. Commercial vehicles were directed to use the U.S. 51 Cairo Bridge between Wickliffe, Kentucky, and Cairo, Illinois.