Sidewalk Closed on Deteriorating Bridge; Auto Traffic Continues

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is having a difficult time explaining to the public how the 122-year-old bridge can be safe for motorized vehicles "up to nine tons" but pedestrians pose a weight problem.

2 minute read

September 1, 2015, 8:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


It's known as the 'singing' bridge due to the hum made by vehicles crossing it. But folks in Frankfort, the state capital, haven't been singing since the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) closed the sidewalk.

"David Steele, the branch manager for Bridge Preservation with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), said it was late on Thursday that an engineer consulting firm informed KYTC that the trusses on the 122 year old bridge had deterioration," writes WLEX TV. "They said the deterioration reduced the structural capacity, meaning the bridge could fail with too much weight."

"The bridge is not unsafe, it's perfectly fine for vehicular traffic as long as they abide by the current 9 ton posted weight limit," said David Steele, the branch manager for Bridge Preservation with KYTC. "We cannot have both vehicular traffic on the bridge and pedestrian."

However, it's clear from the article and the attached news video that walkers don't buy the pedestrian prohibition, nor even motorists for that matter.

"I guess, it's a little confusing," said Hannah Davis. She works nearby at the White Light Diner. "That's the scary part I think. I mean, I don't know if I want to drive over it if it can't hold an extra 200 pounds."

"KYTC says one or two people aren't the problem, but 20 or 30 at a time could be an issue," adds WLEX. "They said they have no way to regulate how many people walk on the bridge at a time."

I did a little math. Thirty people, each weighing 175 pounds, amounts to 2.6 tons, yet there is no restriction on how many 9 ton vehicles that can cross the bridge?

This is not the first time that KYTC planners and engineers have collided with the public. Last year they took on the city's tree advocates to prevent new shade trees from being planted along streets.

Hat tip to AASHTO Daily Transportation Update for their "Pedestrians/Bicycles" section.

Monday, August 31, 2015 in WLEX-TV

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Cobblestone street with vintage street lamps in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah Reduces Speed Limits on Almost 100 City Streets

The historic Georgia city is lowering speed limits in an effort to reduce road fatalities.

6 seconds ago - WJCL

Sign for Loma Alta Park in Altadena, Los Angeles County.

A Park Reborn: Resilience and Renewal in Fire-Stricken Altadena

Rebuilt in just two months after the devastating Eaton Fire, Loma Alta Park now stands as a symbol of community resilience and renewal, even as some residents hope recovery efforts will continue to support housing stability and long-term equity.

1 hour ago - Pasadena NOw

Colorful historic homes in Madrid, Spain.

Spain Moves to Ban 66,000 Airbnbs

The national government is requiring the short-term rental operator to remove thousands of illegal listings from its site as part of an effort to stem a growing housing crisis.

3 hours ago - The New York Times

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.