ODOT celebrates opening of new Ironton-Russell Bridge
Lead Summary
By
Ohio Department of Transportation-
With major construction coming to a close, officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and their contractors, Brayman Construction Corporation, have opened the much-anticipated Ironton-Russell Bridge in Lawrence County.
“Completion of the new Ironton-Russell Bridge is a significant achievement for not only ODOT, but for southern Ohio and the communities of Ironton [Ohio] and Russell [Kentucky],” said ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Vaughn Wilson.
“We have been working to build this bridge for many years, and opening the new structure marks the culmination of hard work, patience and diligence by our team at ODOT, the project designers, the contractors and the construction consultants. Today’s opening of the new Ironton-Russell Bridge also celebrates the people of Ironton who have long-supported the project.”
To commemorate the milestone project, Wilson was joined by ODOT’s chief engineer, Jim Barna; Congressman Bill Johnson; Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith; Russell Mayor Bill Hopkins; Ohio Development Services Agency’s Lyn Tolan; as well as numerous federal, state and local officials and members of the general public from Ohio and Kentucky for a ribbon cutting ceremony and parade Wednesday, Nov. 23.
The event, which was attended by more than 500, included performances by students from Ironton and Russell high schools, as well as a parade of vintage and classic cars that traveled over the new bridge and returned by way of the old Ironton-Russell Bridge. Paying tribute to the old bridge which was closed permanently on Wednesday, the last car to cross it was a 1920s-era Ford Model Buggy that carried Della Burton of Russell and Verna Mae Sloan of Ironton, who were present for the opening day ceremony of the old bridge in 1922.
The new Ironton-Russell Bridge replaces the existing bridge that connects Ironton, Ohio, with Russell, Ky., by relocating it between Second and Jefferson streets in downtown Ironton and the U.S. 23 viaduct south of Russell. The project also includes demolition of the old bridge with completion of the new structure.
Brayman Construction Corporation of Saxonburg, Pa., was awarded a contract for approximately $81.3 million in January 2012 to build the new Ohio River crossing between Ironton, Ohio, and Russell, Ky. Although major construction has been completed, the contractors will direct their attention to finishing touches on the new bridge and demolition of the old structure.
“Completion of the new Ironton-Russell Bridge is a significant achievement for not only ODOT, but for southern Ohio and the communities of Ironton [Ohio] and Russell [Kentucky],” said ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Vaughn Wilson.
“We have been working to build this bridge for many years, and opening the new structure marks the culmination of hard work, patience and diligence by our team at ODOT, the project designers, the contractors and the construction consultants. Today’s opening of the new Ironton-Russell Bridge also celebrates the people of Ironton who have long-supported the project.”
To commemorate the milestone project, Wilson was joined by ODOT’s chief engineer, Jim Barna; Congressman Bill Johnson; Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith; Russell Mayor Bill Hopkins; Ohio Development Services Agency’s Lyn Tolan; as well as numerous federal, state and local officials and members of the general public from Ohio and Kentucky for a ribbon cutting ceremony and parade Wednesday, Nov. 23.
The event, which was attended by more than 500, included performances by students from Ironton and Russell high schools, as well as a parade of vintage and classic cars that traveled over the new bridge and returned by way of the old Ironton-Russell Bridge. Paying tribute to the old bridge which was closed permanently on Wednesday, the last car to cross it was a 1920s-era Ford Model Buggy that carried Della Burton of Russell and Verna Mae Sloan of Ironton, who were present for the opening day ceremony of the old bridge in 1922.
The new Ironton-Russell Bridge replaces the existing bridge that connects Ironton, Ohio, with Russell, Ky., by relocating it between Second and Jefferson streets in downtown Ironton and the U.S. 23 viaduct south of Russell. The project also includes demolition of the old bridge with completion of the new structure.
Brayman Construction Corporation of Saxonburg, Pa., was awarded a contract for approximately $81.3 million in January 2012 to build the new Ohio River crossing between Ironton, Ohio, and Russell, Ky. Although major construction has been completed, the contractors will direct their attention to finishing touches on the new bridge and demolition of the old structure.