06/12/2026
Head's up- only one of the sidewalks on the 2nd St bridge will be open.
The downstream (southbound) sidewalk on the Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge) is closed effective today, June 12, until further notice following findings from an ongoing bridge inspection.
- The bridge remains safe for vehicular traffic and continues to operate under existing posted weight restrictions.
- The sidewalk closure is being implemented out of an abundance of caution for pedestrian safety.
- KYTC continues to advance bridge repair plans and evaluate future safety and sidewalk improvements.
Pedestrians should follow all posted closure signs and barriers. Additional updates will be shared as they become available.
Full details:
As part of an ongoing annual hands-on bridge inspection being conducted by a consultant engineering team, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises pedestrians that the downstream (southbound) sidewalk on the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge) over the Ohio River in Louisville will close beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 12, until further notice.
The inspection has identified deterioration in steel members supporting the downstream (southbound) sidewalk and in the concrete surface. The pedestrian sidewalks are independent structural elements attached to the bridge and are separate from the primary bridge components that carry vehicular traffic.
While the bridge remains structurally safe for vehicular traffic and continues to safely carry legal loads within the currently posted weight restrictions, the downstream (southbound) sidewalk closure is being implemented out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
The downstream (southbound) sidewalk closure follows the closure of the upstream (northbound) sidewalk in December 2024 after engineers identified deterioration in steel components supporting that portion of the structure. The upstream (northbound) sidewalk remains closed.
---Pedestrian Traffic Impacts---
Beginning Friday, June 12, at 10 a.m., the downstream (southbound) sidewalk will be closed to all pedestrian traffic until further notice. Barriers and “SIDEWALK CLOSED” signage will be placed at the foot of each sidewalk entrance. Pedestrians should adhere to all sidewalk closure restrictions.
---Bridge Repair and Safety Enhancement Project Development---
KYTC continues to advance development of a steel repair project intended to address deteriorated bridge components and restore the structure to its full weight-carrying capacity. The bridge currently remains safe for traffic operating within the posted weight limits that were implemented in December 2024. In addition, KYTC is also evaluating potential sidewalk improvements as part of the overall bridge rehabilitation effort.
As part of that effort, KYTC is also evaluating a broader safety enhancement project in coordination with local partners. One concept under review would reconfigure the bridge from four travel lanes to three travel lanes, consisting of two northbound lanes and one southbound lane, while creating wider travel lanes to improve safety and traffic operations for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
KYTC will coordinate future bridge repairs and improvements with other major infrastructure projects in the Louisville metropolitan area to help minimize traffic impacts to the greatest extent possible throughout the region.
The Clark Memorial Bridge, also known as the Second Street Bridge, carries U.S. 31 over the Ohio River between Louisville, Ky., and Jeffersonville, Ind. Originally opened in 1929, the bridge supports approximately 24,000 vehicles per day.
