________________________________________________
412 Second Street, P.O. Box 479, Paintsville, Kentucky, 41240
Telephone (606) 789-1111 · Fax (606) 789-2001
Kimberly O. O’Bryan, Esq.
Paralegal: Tabitha Johnson
Paralegal: Renee Howard
Paralegal: Shellie Lewis
July 14, 2023
KYTC District 12
109 Loraine Street
Pikeville, KY 41501
RE: The Historic George’s Creek Bridge
To Whom It May Concern:
I’m reaching out to you regarding the new bridge project on KY RT 581 in Lawrence
County. I cannot properly convey how incredibly burdensome the closing of the bridge has been
for the community residing on RT 581. Since early 2019, the entire five mile stretch of road-
strewn with family homes and several small businesses- has had a singular access point located
at the intersection of KY 645. Not only is this highly inconvenient for anyone needing access to
the opposite end of the road, but in some cases, it can be detrimental. In an emergency situation,
what used to be a simple one minute drive to HWY 23 in order to reach the nearest hospital is
now a twenty minute drive. That’s not acceptable when the funds to replace the bridge are ready
and available.
With that being said, it is my understanding that the delay with the project is due to an
inability to find a new site for the historical George’s Creek Bridge that currently occupies the
space. I recognize that the Parker Pony Truss bridge is irreplaceable, and destroying it would be a
travesty, so I’d like to propose a solution. Of course locating an interested party capable of
assembling and installing the bridge would be most ideal, but in the meantime, a local land
owner, Don Howard, has offered to store the bridge on his property- free of charge. He owns
several acres of land adjacent to the site of the bridge and has asked me to communicate to you
that he’s more than willing to assist in any way he can. If it means that the project can begin to
move forward, the State has his permission to store the disassembled bridge on his property for
as long as needed.
It is our hope that the new bridge can be built in a timely manner so that travel will no
longer be hindered in this already very rural area. To discuss this proposal further, please contact
me at either of the numbers below or Don Howard directly at (606) 477-2996. Thank you for
your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you soon and to seeing our
community be returned to a sense of normalcy.
Sincerely,
Shellie Lewis, Paralegal
(606) 789-1111
(606) 624-6222
