Travel between Illinois and Kentucky has become more difficult after the closure of both the Cave-in-Rock Ferry and the U.S. 51 Cairo Bridge.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced Monday that the U.S. 51 bridge in Alexander County has been closed until further notice after inspectors identified a structural concern with the bridge deck.
The closure comes just days after the Cave-in-Rock Ferry suspended operations because of an unresolved operating contract between the ferry operator and the Kentucky and Illinois Departments of Transportation.
With both crossings now unavailable, motorists are limited to three remaining routes between the two states: the Shawneetown Bridge, the Brookport Bridge and the Interstate 24 bridge, which is currently undergoing construction.
Transportation officials are urging drivers to expect delays and use alternate routes until the bridge and ferry reopen.