The Russell viaduct (KY 244) was a structurally deficient, functionally obsolete, narrow, weight-restricted, 1930s-era bridge. It was too narrow and weak for modern vehicles, causing problems for emergency and commercial trucks. Fixing it was hard and costly, often requiring road closures that put the city at risk during emergencies. This $24.3 million project provided a new bridge without horizontal or vertical restrictions, along with modern weight limits for commercial and emergency vehicle access. The project also allowed the old bridge to remain open during construction, ensuring the local community experienced minimal travel disruption. The project also added a curved steel flyover structure above the bridge for better traffic flow and pedestrian access. This solved traffic problems in Russell and improved safety for people walking and biking. Now, the new bridge provided better connections for the city, while also making travel safer and easier for everyone.
