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The city of Winchester has been planning to repair the Jackson Street bridge and recently broadcast its plans to the public. 

As of Wednesday, Nov. 13, the city might move up the project date for good reason. 

A sinkhole threatening structural damage appeared on the northwest corner of Jackson Street near Stevenson Street, necessitating a response from individuals including Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed, City Manager Bruce Manley, Winchester Public Works Director Brian Sewell, the Winchester Fire Department, and others. 

“We have discovered a sinkhole on the Jackson Street Bridge. We do have a project for that bridge. It is slated to be taken out later in the year. We do have a grant request in with the state of Kentucky through the transportation department. I think this has just bumped the project from where it was in line up to the top of the list because this could be a safety hazard,” said Mayor Reed. “We have closed the road, and we’ll keep it closed until we have further directions from the state.”

Among other actions, Clark County Public Schools was also informed of the situation. 

Mayor Reed mentioned other structural concerns. 

“The sidewalk has been moving. It’s moved probably six inches [or] seven inches out. It is within probably three or four inches of a gas line…as always, [our] number one concern is the safety of our citizens,” she said. “We are on top of this right now, trying to take a hard look [at] the sinkhole….sinkholes tend to open and become larger, and we’re trying to get a handle on this before that happens.” 

Winchester Public Works Director Brian Sewell further elaborated. 

The bridge abutment is showing signs of erosion here and some separation….this is what’s supporting the last section of bridge beams,” he said. “When we noticed the sinkhole and [saw] this, we were concerned about the possibility [of] failing with heavy traffic going over the bridge.” 

Winchester Fire Department Battalion Chief Tommy Napier stated that the department would be swift to act in the unlikely event of severe structural damage.” 

“If something was to happen [such as] structural collapse, we would come down here to assess [and] to see if there [were] any homeless camps or anything,” he said. “We [would be] fully prepared at any point to do what needs to happen.” 

Mayor Reed concluded. 

“Jackson Street bridge is now a priority project,” she said.