Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
Encyclopedia
Completed in 1932, the two-lane Ben Williamson Bridge connects Coal Grove, Ohio
to Ashland, Kentucky
, crossing the Ohio River
. Named for Senator
Ben M. Williamson
, it was formerly a two-way span before the parallel Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge
was completed upstream in 1985, it is used for Kentucky-bound traffic today. In 1999, the bridge was closed and renovated during which time traffic in both directions was diverted to the Willis Bridge. In early 2007, traffic was again diverted to the Willis bridge in order to renovate and paint the bridge. The bridge was reopened on October 30, 2007.
Coal Grove, Ohio
Coal Grove is a village in Lawrence County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,027 at the 2000 census. The 2006 Census estimate reports a population increase to 2,087 residents . It borders the city of Ironton and lies across the Ohio River from Ashland, Kentucky...
to Ashland, Kentucky
Ashland, Kentucky
Ashland, formerly known as Poage Settlement, is a city in Boyd County, Kentucky, United States, nestled along the banks of the Ohio River. The population was 21,981 at the 2000 census. Ashland is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of the 2000 census, the...
, crossing the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. Named for Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Ben M. Williamson
Ben M. Williamson
Ben Mitchell Williamson was a Democratic U.S. Senator from Kentucky.Born in Pike County, Kentucky, Williamson attended the rural schools of Kentucky and Bethany College in West Virginia. He engaged in the wholesale hardware business at Catlettsburg, Kentucky, from 1886 to 1924, and then at...
, it was formerly a two-way span before the parallel Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge
Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge
Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge is a bridge constructed in 1985 over the Ohio River connecting Winchester Ave. and 13th St. at Ashland, Kentucky to US 52 at Coal Grove, Ohio. It is named for Kentucky Governor Simeon S. Willis. The bridge was planned, at one point, to cross at 45th St. and connect...
was completed upstream in 1985, it is used for Kentucky-bound traffic today. In 1999, the bridge was closed and renovated during which time traffic in both directions was diverted to the Willis Bridge. In early 2007, traffic was again diverted to the Willis bridge in order to renovate and paint the bridge. The bridge was reopened on October 30, 2007.
External links
- Ben Williamson Bridge at Bridges & Tunnels