Upgrades also set for Portsmouth span

ASHLAND — Motorists making the commute from Ashland to Ironton and back may experience some delays, due to work on navigational lights on the bridges over the Ohio River.

The work, a $364,000 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet upgrade to navigational lights, will reduce the Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge (12th Street/green bridge) at Ashland, crossing from U.S. Route 52 in Ohio to U.S. Route 23 in Kentucky, to one lane of traffic, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. from Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 7.

The Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge (13th Street/blue bridge) at Ashland, crossing from U.S. Route 23 in Kentucky to U.S. Route 52 in Ohio, will have one lane closed from 6 a.m.-3 p.m. April 10-14.

Motorists are advised to watch for merging traffic.

Further down the river, upgrades will also take place from April 17-21, on the Carl Perkins Memorial Bridge at South Portsmouth, crossing between Kentucky Route 8 and U.S. Route 23 in Kentucky and Ohio Route 852 and U.S Route 52. The roadway shoulder will be closed each day and motorists are advised to watch for traffic shifts.

Contractor work hours are approximate and have been adjusted to avoid high-volume, peak commute times, officials with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said.

Traffic restrictions will be removed after designated work hours. If able, contractors will avoid work on Fridays. No work will be performed April 13-16 during the Easter holiday.