Advertising for bids by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to repair the damaged Ben Williamson Bridge started Friday, according to Allen Blair, public information officer for the cabinet.

Bid opening is scheduled for June 14.

“Hopefully we will have the project completed by July 31. That is the goal,” Blair said.

The bridge that is a main artery taking traffic from Coal Grove to Ashland, Ky., was shut down May 20 because of a damaged I-beam in the above-road structure on the Ohio side of bridge entrance.

About a week later one lane of the three-lane companion bridge that carries traffic from Ashland to Ohio was changed to take cars into Kentucky so ease mounting congestion. However delays remain for motorists.