Carrollton–Prestonville Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:Carrollton–Prestonville Bridge
Also Known As:Big Blue Bridge
Carries:2 lanes of
Crosses:Kentucky River
Locale:Carrollton, Kentucky and Prestonville, Kentucky
Design:Continuous truss bridge
Length:1277feet
Width:28.9feet
Clearance:14.7feet
Below:6.9feet
Traffic:9,640 (2009)
Open:1900 (original), 1952 (current)
Closed:1952 (original)
Toll:On original bridge
Coordinates:38.6803°N -85.1875°W

The Carrollton–Prestonville Bridge is a continuous truss bridge that carries U.S. Route 42 and Kentucky Route 36 across the Kentucky River between Carrollton and Prestonville, Kentucky. It carries approximately 9,640 cars a day as of 2009. The bridge is located just south of the confluence of the Ohio and Kentucky rivers. The original bridge was toll bridge that opened in 1900. In 1952, it was replaced by a new bridge just a few feet downstream. The piers and eastern approach of the original bridge remain.