RACCOON, Ky. — June 22, 2009 – Deck maintenance work started this afternoon on the Pinson Family Bridge on U.S. 119 in Pike County. The twin-span bridge sits approximately 200 feet above Raccoon Creek and Ky. Route 1441.

Engineer Sam Hale said traffic is down to one lane on the northbound span. When work is completed on that span, the crew will move to the southbound span, which will then be reduced to one lane of traffic.

“Traffic heading north from Pikeville toward Belfry is affected now,” Hale said. “We are essentially dealing with two bridges, although we call it a twin-span bridge. The northbound bridge is where work started today. When we finish there, the crew will move to the southbound span, which will affect traffic traveling south from Belfry toward Pikeville.”

Motorists are advised to reduce their speed and merge as soon as it is safe to do so.

“We are not closing either span. If people will merge as soon as they see the Lane Closed Ahead signs, slow down a little, and continue driving safely, there should not be any significant traffic delays.”