U.S. 45 Ohio River “Brookport” Bridge closed after crash

PADUCAH, Ky. (KBSI) – The U.S. 45 Ohio River “Brookport” Bridge between Paducah, Ky. and Brookport, Ill. is closed due to what was originally reported as a head-on crash on the bridge on Monday.

Duration is unknown at this time.

As a precaution, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet bridge inspectors are en route to check the bridge once the crash is cleared.

Drivers are advised to detour via the Interstate 24 Ohio River Bridge.

Also known as the Brookport Bridge and the Irvin S. Cobb Bridge, the U.S. 45 Ohio River Bridge is at McCracken County mile point 12.882.

The 10-span bridge carries approximately 5,000 vehicles across the Ohio River each day between Paducah, Ky. and Brookport, Ill.

The U.S. 45 Ohio River “Brookport” Bridge has a 15-ton load limit, an 8 ft. load width restriction and a 9 ft. 6 in. vehicle height restriction, which prohibits most commercial trucks and prohibits all STAA Trucks. Large recreational vehicles, farm equipment and permitted loads of any kind are prohibited from crossing the bridge.

The 5,385 ft. structure at Ohio River navigation mile point 937.3 was opened to traffic in 1929.