The governor of the US state of Kentucky Steve Beshear has unveiled the designs of two bridges that will carry highways traffic across Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

The twin basket handle tied-arch spans will replace a pair of narrow steel bridges.

"There are no other bridges in Kentucky like this, just as there is no other place in Kentucky like the Land Between the Lakes," said Beshear.

Michael Baker Jr is Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's designer for the bridges.

Each bridge will cost an estimated US$178 million to build, including design work. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2011.