Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge
Encyclopedia
Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge is a bridge constructed in 1985 over the Ohio River
connecting Winchester Ave. (US 23) and 13th St. (US 60
) 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 to a proposed Ashland bypass. The Willis bridge, however, was built one block from the existing Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
and generally carries only Ohio-bound traffic. Southbound traffic, which is normally carried on the Williamson Bridge, was diverted to the Willis Bridge in early 2007 so that the Williamson Bridge could be repaired and painted.
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...
connecting Winchester Ave. (US 23) and 13th St. (US 60
U.S. Route 60
U.S. Route 60 is an east–west United States highway, running from the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast in Virginia to western Arizona. Despite the final "0" in its number, indicating a transcontinental designation, the 1926 route formerly ended in Springfield, Missouri, at its intersection...
) at 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...
to US 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
at Coal Grove, Ohio
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...
. It is named for Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
Governor
Governor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
Simeon S. Willis
Simeon S. Willis
Simeon Slavens Willis was the 46th Governor of Kentucky, United States, serving from 1943 to 1947. He was the only Republican elected governor of Kentucky between 1927 and 1967....
. The bridge was planned, at one point, to cross at 45th St. and connect to a proposed Ashland bypass. The Willis bridge, however, was built one block from the existing Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
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...
and generally carries only Ohio-bound traffic. Southbound traffic, which is normally carried on the Williamson Bridge, was diverted to the Willis Bridge in early 2007 so that the Williamson Bridge could be repaired and painted.
External links
- Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge at Bridges & Tunnels