Winner will be first to drive across new bridge

With Nov. 23 officially set by the Ohio Department of Transportation as the open date for the new Ironton-Russell Bridge, the city of Ironton and Ironton aLive are conducting a raffle for the first person to drive across the new span, in conjunction with the grand opening festivities.

After the completion of the opening ceremony and parade, scheduled for 11 a.m., the person who wins the raffle will line their car up on the approach of the new bridge to be the first across. Once the car crosses, ODOT will lift the barricades and the bridge will officially be open to motorists.

“We were planning the ceremony, and a number of people off the street said it would be great to have a raffle to be the first person across the new bridge and make history,” Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith said. “We got with Ironton aLive to see if they would sponsor that, and the money will be put into downtown revitalization.”

Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10, and are available at the Ironton Mayor’s office on the third floor of the Ironton City Building, or by contacting Sam Heighton, executive director of Ironton aLive, at 740-533-7951.