Pedestrian Bridge Across Cooper Drive Closed

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2010) − The pedestrian walkway across Cooper Drive on the University of Kentucky campus, just east of the intersection of South Limestone and Cooper Drive, has been closed until further notice.  Pedestrians are strongly encouraged to cross Cooper Drive only at designated crosswalks, either at South Limestone or at University Drive. Motorists are asked to exercise extra caution in the area.

While a UK Physical Plant Division (PPD) employee was doing some routine maintenance, installing some replacement lights on the north side of the pedway near the Garrigus Building, he noticed what appeared to be a rusted beam under the walkway. UK PPD officials called an independent structural engineering firm, BFMJ of Lexington, and asked for an engineer to inspect the bridge. The engineer determined that at least portions of the pedway are structurally unsound and recommended that the span be closed until further notice, pending a complete evaluation and analysis.

As a result, plans call for one lane of traffic to be closed on Cooper Drive on Thursday (Oct. 21) beginning at 9 a.m., between South Limestone and University Drive, in order to facilitate an in-depth evaluation of the situation.

UK PPD officials have installed barricades and signs on both ends of the pedway informing students, faculty, staff and visitors that the overhead crossing is closed until further notice.

The pedestrian bridge links the Garrigus Building, located on the north side of Cooper Drive, with the Barnhart Building, located on the south side.

Pedestrians are strongly encouraged to cross Cooper Drive only at designated crosswalks, either at South Limestone or at University Drive, and motorists are asked to exercise extra caution in the area.