Kentucky Dedicates Veterans Memorial Bridge
The Kentucky 289 span over the Rolling Fork River in Marion County now carries a name honoring local veterans.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Civic
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Kentucky dedicated the Kentucky 289 bridge over the Rolling Fork River in Marion County as the Marion County Veterans Memorial Bridge during a ceremony last week. The $4.31 million replacement project was funded in the 2024 fiscal year.
Why it matters
The naming honors military service and recognizes local veterans in Marion County and across Kentucky. The completed span restores a key crossing that residents had been asked to be patient with during its closure.
The replacement bridge cost $4.31 million in design and construction funds set in the 2024 fiscal year. The source does not specify a comparison to the original bridge's cost or the project's timeline beyond the dedication.
The players
Jimmy Higdon
Kentucky state senator and Senate Transportation Committee chairman who made the bridge project a priority during the 2024 legislative session.
Michael Pollock
Kentucky state representative who attended the bridge dedication ceremony.
David Daugherty
Marion County Judge-Executive who attended the bridge dedication ceremony in his county.
The details
The bridge, formerly known locally as the New Market Bridge, carries Kentucky 289 across the Rolling Fork River. State Senator Jimmy Higdon, Senate Transportation Committee chairman, made the project a priority during the 2024 legislative session, and state representative Michael Pollock and Marion County Judge-Executive David Daugherty attended the ceremony.
Timeline
2024 legislative session: Higdon made the bridge project a legislative priority.
2024 fiscal year: $4.31 million in design and construction funding was set.
Last week: The Marion County Veterans Memorial Bridge dedication ceremony was held.
Roadmap
The project was funded through Kentucky's 2024 fiscal year transportation appropriations, which Senate Transportation Committee chairman Jimmy Higdon prioritized. The completed dedication marks the finished result of that funding cycle for a Marion County highway crossing.
Drivers on Kentucky 289 across the Rolling Fork River in Marion County now cross the replaced bridge following its completion. The dedication recognizes local veterans, giving residents a permanent public reminder of their service.
The takeaway
Public infrastructure projects can carry lasting recognition of community service, as the Marion County bridge now does for local veterans. Residents crossing the bridge daily will see that tribute each time they travel Kentucky 289.
Further reading
Explore more Kentucky civic news coverage on how local projects and tributes take shape.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News-Enterprise.
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