ASHLAND, Ky. — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded a contract to Evers Welding Co. Inc. of Cincinnati to repair Ashland’s damaged 12th Street Bridge.

The $52,400 contract specifies a July 31 completion for the project. Barring any unforeseen complications, the Ohio River crossing should reopen around that date.

“We realize that the 12th Street Bridge is a vital link for countless Kentucky and Ohio residents,” said Bart Bryant, Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 Chief Engineer. “We appreciate people’s patience as we have worked to get a repair contract in place. Our highest priority continues to be repairing the bridge as quickly as possible so that it can once again safely connect these communities.”

The 12th Street (Ben Williamson Memorial) Bridge, which carries traffic across the river between U.S. 52 at Coal Grove and U.S. 23 in downtown Ashland, was damaged last month by a vehicle impact to a steel beam on its Ohio approach span.

The damage led engineers to close the bridge on May 20 to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of motorists. By the following Tuesday, highway crews had converted the adjacent 13th Street bridge from one-way to two-way traffic, and structural design engineers began drawing up plans to replace the damaged steel beam.

The repair project was advertised June 7 and bids were opened Friday. Because of the project’s high priority, a contract procurement committee met ahead of schedule to award a bid today so that repairs can begin quickly.

To keep the public up to date with repair plans, the Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 has established a web page with detailed traffic maps, current bridge status, a project timeline and other information.

The public may access the web page at Transportation.ky.gov/District-9/Pages/Ashland-Bridges.aspx, or at Transportation.ky.gov/District-9 by clicking “Ashland Bridges.”

In addition, motorists may follow District 9 on Facebook at Facebook.com/KYTCDistrict9 or Twitter at Twitter.com/KYTCDistrict9 for updated Ashland bridges information as well as traffic and state highway project information across northeast Kentucky.