By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
The work to repair the Ritters Mill Road low water ford approaches is underway.
In April 2024 a public meeting was held in the cafeteria of Temple Hill Elementary School that had Executive Vice President of Scott and Murphy Chris Proffitt explain the work planned for the low water ford on Ritters Mill Road, which floods during heavy rains resulting in frequent closures. Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd said American Engineers helped in the design process, but was not at the April meeting.
At the meeting, it was estimated that the work would begin in June 2024 and would take roughly eight weeks, during which time the road was closed.
On his social media account, Magistrate Tim Durham — whose district includes Ritters Mill Road — wrote that a design flaw “has resulted in concerns regarding the approaches, which have been eroded.”
“We are dissatisfied that this issue has occurred despite multiple meetings to review the design and query its ability to prevent future closures,” Durham wrote on his social media account. “The goal was to alleviate the recurring issue of flooding and road closures in the county. This matter will be addressed and resolved…. We have talked multiple times and feel like there will be work started by the end of this week to get the road open to where it can be crossed but there will need to be more work done to see that this road can withstand these heavy rains.”
Deputy Judge-Executive Garland Gilliam confirmed the eight box culverts that span the creek are intact and in good shape, but the approaches that connect the road to the culverts have washed away. At the Jan. 4 Barren County Fiscal Court meeting, county Byrd appeared via Zoom. She said she had had morning meetings in Frankfort attempting to get state funds for the project and that the repair bids would be put out on Feb. 6.
According to Gilliam, it will have to be inspected by the state.
The road section will remain closed until construction is complete, which, Gilliam hoped, would be “in four weeks or so.”
Byrd said the bids would be due Feb. 14
