The touchdown point of a new Ironton-Russell Bridge led discussions during Tuesday’s joint meeting of the Ironton Business Association and the newly-formed Russell Merchants Group.

Wednesday, August 23, 2000

The touchdown point of a new Ironton-Russell Bridge led discussions during Tuesday’s joint meeting of the Ironton Business Association and the newly-formed Russell Merchants Group.

More than 30 Russell businessowners said they have been misrepresented in past meetings with the Ohio Department of Transportation, voicing their opinion on where the new bridge should touch down on the Kentucky side.

"We want to keep the bridge in our downtown," said Lynn Rice, group spokesperson. "We want to come together with the people of Ironton to resolve the issue of where the new bridge should be placed on our side of the river. We want to voice our opinion as businessowners as to where we want the bridge to land."

ODOT has proposed a bridge that would touch down near the current Ironton location, but would touch down near U.S. 23 in Russell based on suggestions from both Ironton and Russell residents.

Ironton and Russell share an economic bond that would be affected by the removal of the bridge from its current location, Rice said.

"If the bridge is removed from the Russell or Ironton downtown area, both cities will lose a significant amount of money because the traffic patterns would change," he said. "In the past, we’ve not had the representation we need as businessowners. That’s why we are voicing our opinions now."

Lou Pyles, IBA chairwoman, said keeping the bridge in Ironton’s downtown is vital to the Ironton’s businesses.

"Our businesses are what is keeping our downtown alive," she said. "We have worked very hard with our mayor and city to keep the bridge where it is. ODOT has acted on the suggestions of the city of Russell and proposed the bridge to land near U.S. 23. We would recommend you to voice your opinions to ODOT."

Rice said opinions about the U.S. 23 touchdown came from a small group of Russell residents.

"We have had some bad publicity from a vocal group of people in Russell," he said. "This group wants the bridge out of town and they have even misinformed the residents.

"If it is recommended that we contact ODOT, then that may be the next step we need to take as an effort to keep the bridge in our downtown area, too. We don’t care where it touches down in Ironton. That’s not our decision to make."