Demolition of the old AK Steel overpass in Greenup County will temporarily close all four lanes of US 23 overnight Monday, Dec. 4, with all traffic detoured through Flatwoods.
Contractors for Cleveland Cliffs plan to finish the demolition and reopen US 23 by Tuesday morning but work and detours could continue the next night, if needed.
Beginning at 7 p.m. Monday night, barricades will block US 23 north of Diederich Boulevard (KY 693) and south of the Ironton-Russell Bridge, and US 23 will be closed to all thru traffic between those points. The highway will remain blocked until 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, Dec. 5, with the following detours in effect for US 23 traffic:
- Northbound US 23: Merge left near the Boyd-Greenup county line (Russell Plaza), then turn left onto KY 693, continue north for 1.8 miles, then turn right onto KY 207 through Flatwoods (1.7 miles) to return to US 23 north of Russell.
- Southbound US 23: Turn right at KY 207 north of Russell (near the rail yard), follow the highway through Flatwoods, then turn left onto KY 693 to return to US 23 near Russell Plaza south of the overpass. (Ironton, Ohio, traffic should continue straight to the Ironton-Russell Bridge.)
- Ironton-Russell Bridge: Ohio traffic needing to go south on US 23 toward Ashland should turn right and take US 23 north to KY 207 to follow the detour through Flatwoods.
During demolition, no traffic will be able to pass the AK Steel overpass. Local traffic in downtown Russell or to and from Ironton, Ohio, or Riverview Drive, etc., will be able to use US 23 north of the overpass, then use the detour to reach Ashland or points south. Local traffic approaching from Ashland will need to use Diederich Boulevard and the detour to access downtown Russell and nearby destinations.
Again, contractors anticipate finishing the demolition Monday night and reopening US 23 to all traffic. However, if needed, work and detours will continue the next night, Tuesday, Dec. 5. Watch electronic message boards for updates.
Because of US 23’s heavy traffic – as many as 26,000 vehicles pass through the Russell-Flatwoods area each day – lengthy traffic backups and delays are expected. Motorists are urged to adjust their travel plans accordingly or seek alternate routes.
The work is being done by Cleveland Cliffs under an approved Kentucky Transportation Cabinet permit. The road closure and detours are necessary for public safety as contractors work over the highway to tear down the old overpass.
