The Crossings of Otter Creek

I recalled discovering the three crossings of Otter Creek along KY 90 in southern Kentucky quite a few years ago, but I could never locate the photographs I took back then. While in the area documenting the Battle of Mill Springs reenactment, I headed westward to recapture those crossings and to try to find any information about them.

What’s unique is not their design but the many alignments over the bridge. The first span was most likely a truss or a covered bridge, but all that remains is the stone abutments.

In 1940, a three span concrete beam bridge was completed with a total length of 159 feet.

This was replaced with a revised alignment and crossing in 1949, with the bridge featuring a total span length of 320 feet.

Finally, in 1979, a new alignment of KY 90 was completed, which featured the erection of a three-span steel girder bridge with a total length of 526 feet.

The 2004 aerial below, from HistoricAerials.com, shows the 1940 and 1949 alignments. The 1979 alignment is to the north and east.

Further Reading

a. The Crossings of Otter Creek (blog): http://bridgestunnels.com/2012/02/16/the-crossings-of-otter-creek/

b. Otter Creek Bridges (KY 90): http://bridgestunnels.com/bridges/kentucky/otter-creek-bridge-ky-90/