Eggner's Ferry Bridge

Eggner's Ferry Bridge was a steel structure stretching over 1020 meters across Kentucky Lake, featuring four Parker through truss spans supported by two Pratt truss end sections. The bridge provided two lanes of traffic and connected US Route 68 and Kentucky Route 80 across the water.

The structure opened in 1932 as a new crossing over Kentucky Lake, serving the region for nearly 84 years. Its design required modification in 1943 when the Kentucky Dam raised water levels, necessitating adjustment to the bridge's vertical clearance.

The bridge connected communities separated by Kentucky Lake, serving as a vital link that shaped how residents accessed jobs, schools, and recreation areas on opposite shores. People relied on this crossing as part of their everyday routines for decades.

The old bridge is no longer in use after being replaced in 2016, but remnants of the structure remain visible from the new bridge or from viewing areas along the lake shore. The site is accessible for viewing the historical crossing without needing to travel across it.

The structure endured for more than 80 years despite being exposed to harsh lake conditions and heavy traffic from two major routes. A cargo ship collision in 2012 caused significant damage to a large section, requiring emergency repairs that became one of the largest bridge restoration projects in the state.

Location: Trigg County

Location: Marshall County

Inception: 1932

Official opening: March 25, 1932

Length: 1,020.5 m

Longest Span: 97.8 m

GPS coordinates: 36.77218,-88.12046

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:07