The Butler Bridge carries KY Route 177 over the South Fork Licking River in Butler, Kentucky.
The Butler Bridge carries KY Route 177 over the South Fork Licking River in Butler, Kentucky.
The original bridge over the Licking River at Butler, built in 1872, was notable for its covered design and size. 2 4 This Butler Covered Bridge spanned 513 feet with an additional 60-foot uncovered approach, and was constructed with three sets of heavy timber arches. 4 At one point, it was considered the longest covered bridge in the United States.
In 1926, the Butler Covered Bridge became part of US Route 27. In November 1934, to reduce its weight by at least 50 tons, the covering was removed. 4
By July 1936, the covered bridge was deemed unsafe for trucks and consequently closed to them. 1 The state placed guards at each end of the bridge to restrict truck access and limit passage to one car at a time. This decision led to calls for a new bridge from the Northern Kentucky Division of the Cincinnati Motor Club.
A contract for a new bridge was awarded in September. 3 The replacement, named the American Legion Memorial Bridge, was inaugurated on October 20, 1937. 2 The dedication ceremony, attended by approximately 7,000 people, featured speeches from state highway commissioner Robert Humphreys and Congressman Brent Spence. The new bridge, costing $160,000, consisted of three Parker through truss spans.
In 1948, a bypass around Butler was completed, and the former route through the town was re-designated as KY Route 609, later becoming KY Route 177.
In 2010, the Butler Bridge underwent significant rehabilitation to maintain its structural integrity and functionality.
Details
- State: Kentucky
- Route: KY Route 177
- Status: Active (Automobile)
- Type: Parker Through Truss
- Total Length: 572' (1872); 630' (1937)
- Main Span Length: 151' (1937)
- Spans: 0
- Deck Width: 30' (1937)
- Roadway Width: 24' (1937)
- Height of Structure: 0
- Above Vertical Clearance: 15.4' (1937)
- Navigational Clearance: 0
Sources
- “New Bridge at Butler is Aim of Club.” Kentucky Post, 22 Jul. 1936, p. 1.
- “Good Time Is Had By All – 7000 – At Butler.” Kentucky Post, 21 Oct. 1937, pp. 1-3.
- “Bridge to be Replaced.” Kentucky Post, 29 Aug. 1936, p. 1.
- “Butler, Ky., Loses Great Distinction When Workmen Take Cover Off Famous Old Bridge.” Kentucky Post, 20 Nov. 1933, p. 1.