Residents say bridge on Aarons Run has been closed too long

Shannon Lansdale says he has to travel an extra 12 miles every time he wants to access the other side of his farm.

That’s because a bridge is out on Aarons Run Road. It’s been out for more than 15 months.

The bridge, which spans about 50 feet, was closed in July 2025. Some residents claim they were given no notice the bridge would be out before it was closed.

Lansdale and another farmer, John Judy, say the closure prevents them from accessing the rest of their farms, which extend to the other side of the bridge.

Lansdale has to go around Bunker Hill Road and Plum Lick Road to get to the other side of the bridge. In his case, he claims it takes him two and a half hours extra a day to move his hay bales by tractor to the other side.

Judy takes Paris Pike around with loads of silage, which adds several miles to every trip.

Lansdale claims the Transportation Cabinet has said it is working on a design for a culvert bridge, but that he sees no activity.

“It’s frustrating,” he admits. “It’s a major inconvenience.”

Judy said he is equally as frustrated. He says driving Paris Pike with a load of silage attached to his tractor can be dangerous and time consuming.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Judy told the Advocate. “Something needs  to be done.”

Lansdale and Judy said making the round trip is also expensive because of the cost of diesel to run their tractors.  

Judy suggests the state make special accommodations for farmers on the road.

Jerry Lansdale, Shannon’s father, said the state should have known the bridge was in poor condition, due for replacement and planned ahead.

Aarons Run residents say they want answers as to when the bridge might be fixed, but claim they get no definitive answers from the state Transportation Cabinet.

Brooklyn McIntosh, a spokesperson for the cabinet’s District 7 Office, told the Advocate the bridge was closed after inspections found deterioration in the superstructure, making it unsafe for continued use.

McIntosh said a project to repair the bridge is included in the 2026 Enacted Highway Plan with design and construction funding scheduled outside the biennium. 

“Team Kentucky is committed to providing safe roads and bridges for families and travelers across the commonwealth,” McIntosh said.

She said updates will be provided as they become available.

McIntosh suggested the public use Bunker Hill Road (Ky. 537) and U.S. 460 (Paris Pike) as alternate state routes.  

Residents have reached out to other officials such as Judge-Executive Chris Haddix, state Sen. Greg Elkins, state Rep. David Hale and Congressman Andy Barr’s Office.

Haddix said at a previous Fiscal Court workshop he is trying to expedite the process, but is limited in what he can accomplish because the road is designated a state road rather than county road.

Shannon Lansdale said Barr’s office suggested he contact his state lawmakers, which he has done.

Elkins told the Advocate there is movement on the project, it’s just where it can’t be seen.

Based on his most recent conversation with Corey Jones, the bridge specialist with District 7, Elkins says he was told the cabinet is getting quotes for a couple of different options on the bridge and will then come to lawmakers in Frankfort for funding.

Elkins said he is concerned about the delays and is closely watching the project.

Ultimately, he said, the state needs to review how it handles bridge projects so they get completed sooner.

Hale had not returned phone messages as of press time.

Shannon Lansdale claims the bridge was designated for loads of up to eight tons, but said heavier trucks routinely used the bridge.

Regardless of who is responsible, Aarons Run resident Allen “Buck” Prewitt said residents just want to see some activity on the bridge for safety reasons if nothing else.

In September, a 4-year-old girl, Hellayna Michelle King, died in Clark County when she fell off a tractor on Red River Road. She was accidentally backed over by the tractor, according to media reports.

Residents there told a Lexington media outlet it took 45 minutes to get around a bridge closure and those valuable minutes might have made a difference.

It has taken two and half years to get that particular project close to fruition, Elkins said.

“Road projects move slow, bridge projects move even slower,”” he said.

Shannon Lansdale and Prewitt fear what could happen if an accident were to occur on Aarons Run Road and first responders are slowed getting to the scene.

“We’re concerned about the safety and lack of communication,” Shannon said.

Prewitt claims it shouldn’t take 15 months and counting to replace a 50-foot bridge when larger, more expensive bridges are being fixed regularly on the interstate. 

“There’s no consideration whatsoever,” Prewitt said.”It is totally unfair. Why isn’t there a simple fix?”