The bridge, which spans across the North Fork of the Kentucky River, was built in the 1920s and originally carried Highway 15 traffic until a new road was built in the 60s. (photo by Cris Ritchie)

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GLOMAWR – Want a bridge? If so, you’re in luck, because the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is ready to give away one of Perry County’s oldest bridges.

The Cabinet currently plans to replace the Glomawr bridge, which spans the North Fork of the Kentucky River and connects Ky. 451 to Highway 15 in the Glomawr community. The Parker truss bridge was built in 1927, originally as a steel deck bridge, but was paved over in 2005. The structure has been deemed eligible for the National Registry of Historic Place, and is 270 feet long.

The bridge’s 85-year run at its present location will come to an end next year, however, as state officials say the old bridge must be removed in order to make room a new, safer structure. That’s where a new owner could come into play, as the Cabinet and the Federal Highway Administration are seeking a new owner to take possession of the bridge and reassemble it elsewhere.

The Cabinet undertook a similar effort for the former bridges that crossed at Main Street and Woodland Park a few years ago.

A program through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), State Historic Preservation Office and the Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) allows government agencies, historic preservation organizations or individuals to re-erect the bridge if its original characteristics are retained at the new site. Historic organizations and individuals must be approved by the state historic preservation officer to be eligible for the program.

Under the program, KYTC and FHWA will pay the costs of marking parts of the bridge, disassembling it, transporting it to the new site, and off-loading it. The recipient is responsible for all other costs, including site preparation, reassembly, replacement of parts suitable for the proposed use at the new location and construction of approaches. The recipient also becomes responsible for maintenance, liability and permits associated with the bridge.

Officials say possible uses for the bridge include becoming part of a walking or bicycling trail in a city or county park, or being used by a property owner as a unique stream crossing for a private driveway.

“The last time we advertised a bridge in Perry County for relocation, we received inquiries from all across the United States as well as internationally,” said Jeff Allen, environmental coordinator for the Department of Highways District 10 in Jackson, who oversees the bridge relocation program for the district. “The costs for moving the bridge such a long distance are prohibitive and impractical. Therefore, we are seeking in-state applicants for the possible relocation of the Glomawr bridge.”

Eligible recipients can request additional information from Allen at the District 10 office located at 473 Highway 15 South, Jackson, by writing him at P.O. Box 621, Jackson, KY 41339, by emailing him at jeff.allen@ky.gov or by calling him at (606) 666-8841. Letters of interest and written proposals for relocation of the bridge will be accepted until Aug. 13.