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Brookport Bridge

Coordinates: 37°06′53″N 88°37′45″W / 37.11465°N 88.62915°W / 37.11465; -88.62915
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Brookport Bridge
Coordinates37°06′53″N 88°37′45″W / 37.11465°N 88.62915°W / 37.11465; -88.62915
Carries2 lanes of US 45
CrossesOhio River
LocalePaducah, KY and Brookport, IL
Official nameIrvin S. Cobb Bridge
Characteristics
DesignTruss bridge
Total length5,385.8 ft (1,641.6 m)
Width19.7 ft (6.0 m)
Longest span711.0 ft (216.7 m)
Load limit15 short tons (13,607.8 kg)
Clearance above9 ft 6 in (2.9 m)
History
Construction end1929
Location
Map

The Brookport Bridge (officially the Irvin S. Cobb Bridge) is a ten-span, steel deck (grate), narrow two-lane truss bridge that carries U.S. Route 45 (US 45) across the Ohio River in the U.S. states of Illinois and Kentucky. It connects Paducah, Kentucky, north to Brookport, Illinois.[1]

The bridge is named after Irvin S. Cobb, an author and journalist who was born in Paducah. The bridge was originally built by a private company and operated as a toll bridge. The state of Kentucky subsequently purchased the bridge from its builders.[citation needed]

The bridge is notoriously difficult to cross, due to its very narrow lanes and steel grate deck. It is restricted to vehicles less than 8 feet (2.4 m) in width and 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 m) in height, preventing most commercial vehicles from using the bridge. The nearby Interstate 24 Bridge can be used instead.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Baughn, James; et al. (July 9, 2005). "Brookport Bridge". Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  2. ^ Adeleye, Temi (September 18, 2019). "Brookport Bridge now open, but with tougher restrictions for trucks". WPSD Local 6. Retrieved August 15, 2022.