Ribbon Cutting Held for Vince Road Bridge
Residents Celebrate Much-Awaited Improvement
Amidst much fanfare and community pride, a ribbon cutting ceremony heralded the completion of Vince Road Bridge. This landmark has served the denizens of Jessamine County since its original construction under the New Deal in the 1930s.
Long weathered by age and wear, the old one-lane bridge necessitated cars from either side to take turns using this corridor. With the completion of the new bridge, traffic can flow freely, making commuting much easier and safer.
A Monumental Improvement
Judge Executive David West revealed that the bridge, financed by county funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, now spans 24 feet across. “It’s a fantastic improvement and long overdue. We had a one-lane bridge here, and now people can pass each other safely if they watch the rules of the road,” said West. He lightheartedly shared that a pair of beavers, which made their way under the bridge while construction was underway, seemed to approve of the improvements.
Gratitude was extended to Christopher Horne Engineering for designing the bridge, and Todd Johnson Contracting for executing the construction work that commenced in early May.
Community Support Shines
Joining the ribbon-cutting ceremony were the Jessamine County Magistrates, the Executive Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Jessamine, as well as State Representatives and local residents. The celebration reflected deep community support and enthusiasm for the development.
Magistrate Kent Slusher, a District 4 representative and local resident who grew up around the old bridge, expressed joy about the new addition. He fondly recollected how the bridge and the nearby creek were integral parts of his childhood baseball games.
Slusher humorously commented, “I’d go under and get [the ball]. I’ve had to go under that bridge many, many times. It was a safe bridge, but it was way past its time,” while adding that state inspectors had cleared the old bridge multiple times.
Opening New Opportunities
With this long-overdue improvement, the residents of Jessamine County are relieved that they no longer need to fret about common issues such as cars sliding off the bridge, mirror collisions, or traffic build-up due to accidents on U.S. 27.
Following the ribbon-cutting, crew members promptly removed the ‘road closed’ signs, marking the official opening of the new and improved Vince Road Bridge to the community, encouraging a new generation of Jessamine Countians to create their own memories along this important local artery.
