Oakley C. Collins Memorial Bridge to close for a month

CHILLICOTHE - A project to rehabilitate the driving surface of the Oakley C. Collins Memorial Bridge will begin September 16, requiring a 30-day closure of the bridge.

This preventative maintenance project will restore the driving surface to new condition. Generally, the surface of these types of bridges will last for about a decade. The Oakley C. Collins Memorial Bridge surface is nearly 8 years old.

"We didn't want to wait until the surface had passed its expected lifespan to make these critical repairs," said Ohio Department of Transportation District 9 Deputy Director Mike Dombrowski. "Doing this preventative maintenance project now means the work isn't as extensive as it might have been had we waited."

Crews will mill off the top 1.25" of the roadway surface and replace it with new material.

Due to the narrow width of the bridge, a partial roadway rehabilitation that would keep one lane open was not possible. Completing the entire deck at one time will ensure a quality result and avoid future inconveniences to drivers.

"We know this will be an inconvenience to folks who use this bridge, but we want to ensure that we're getting the best outcome from the project to maximize the life of the bridge deck, going forward," Dombrowski said.

During the closure, traffic heading to Kentucky will detour to Park Avenue (SR 93), east on US 52, south over the Ohio River on the Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge (12th Street), and west on Winchester Avenue (US 23) in Ashland. Traffic from Kentucky into Ohio will detour via Winchester Avenue (US 23) to the Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge (13th Street), west on US 52, and south on Park Avenue (SR 93).

The cable-stayed bridge has an expected lifespan of 80 years.