‘Errors in construction’ observed at unsuccessful Kennedy Bridge joint, data display | In-depth

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Soon after getting problems about sound on the Kennedy Bridge, a Kentucky Transportation Cupboard inspector frequented the span in Could and discovered an “audible rattle” and portion of the roadway bouncing with targeted traffic.

A week afterwards, other inspectors discovered 5 lacking bolts where by drivers go over a strip resembling interlocking fingers near the Indiana point out line. It is one of four joints that link the bridge deck’s concrete slabs, allowing the framework develop and deal.

Two weeks afterwards, on June 7, a particular assessment uncovered a person far more bolt missing in the very same place and two other bolts that could be eliminated by hand. A different two bolts have been sheared off.

Those details, provided in inspection reviews acquired underneath Kentucky’s open up records law, lose more light-weight on the problem of the 57-12 months-old Ohio River interstate crossing prior to state officials shut 3 lanes indefinitely final thirty day period though they hold out for new bolts to be made and installed.

But the studies also clearly show there were being “errors in construction” at the expansion joint that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet knew about shortly following the span was refurbished. In truth, just two months immediately after Kentucky completed a $22 million overhaul of the Kennedy Bridge deck in 2016, an inspector learned the joint was misaligned and going when vehicles passed more than it.  The source of a “banging sound” at the joint wasn’t located.

Despite recurring challenges

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