Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded Johnson Brothers the US$131.5 million contract to build the basket-handle tied-arch bridge over Kentucky Lake.

“Replacement of the bridges over Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley has been a priority of my administration because of their importance to the tourism industry of western Kentucky,” said governor Steve Beshear. “Land Between The Lakes, and indeed our entire ‘Western Waterland’ region, is not only a cultural and recreational treasure. It also is an economic engine.”

The new bridge will replace the Eggners Ferry Bridge, which was built in 1932 and is too narrow for today’s traffic.

The overall Lake Bridges project also includes replacement of the Henry Lawrence Memorial Bridge on Lake Barkley. KYTC is aiming to award a contract for the second bridge by December this year.