The completion of a new bridge allowed the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to open KY 132 to traffic between Clay and Dixon in Webster County this morning. The new bridge was constructed with pre-stressed concrete beams that had been recycled from another structure.

"Several years ago when we were extending an overpass on Carter Road in Daviess County our engineers recognized that some parts of a bridge being razed were in good condition and had the potential to be reused," said KYTC Public Information Officer Keith Todd. "Beams from the dismantled structure were put in storage at our Daviess County Highway Maintenance Yard until our bridge engineers could find a productive use for them."

When engineers started efforts to replace a bridge on KY 132 in Webster County they determined that the 38 foot pre-cast box beams were just the right size for the new structure.

"By reusing perfectly good materials and using state forces to complete the work, we are saving the taxpayers about $73, 000," said Ted Merryman, chief district engineer for the Madisonville district highway office. "We're getting a very serviceable bridge with substantial savings of tax dollars. It doesn't get any better than that."

Merryman says using the recycled beams also reduced construction time on the new structure from what could have been up to 3 months down to just over one month.

The new bridge crosses a tributary of Crab Orchard Creek on KY 132 at mile point 11.2. This section of KY 132 between Clay and Dixon carries about 1,500 vehicles in an average day. The bridge opened to traffic at 8:00 a.m. today.