Some Ironton city and business leaders stress that relocating the touchdown of the Ironton-Russell-Bridge on the Kentucky side could further damage the city’s economy.

Thursday, February 22, 2001

Some Ironton city and business leaders stress that relocating the touchdown of the Ironton-Russell-Bridge on the Kentucky side could further damage the city’s economy.

All three alternatives proposed by the Ohio Department of Transportation spill into Ironton, but just one, B-2, has access to Russell. The other two alternatives, B/C-1 and B/C-1a connect to U.S. 23.

Business owners say that bypassing Russell will discourage Kentuckians from shopping in Ironton and encourage them to go to Ashland.

In Russell, the consensus is the businesses want the bridge access to remain in the city while residents would prefer it be moved to the highway.

Lynn Rice, a Russell merchant and member of the Ironton Business Association, said Russell City Council has endorsed taking the bridge out of town to 23.

He said he supports the B-2 alternative, adding it would help "maintain the economic integrity of Ironton."

Rice said most of Ironton’s Kentucky business comes from Russell, Flatwoods and Greenup. With an access ramp at 23, he said Kentucky residents would be more likely to continue up the highway into Ashland to shop than double back into Ironton.

Mike Haas, chairman of IBA’s bridge committee agrees.

"I really feel that if they are headed up 23…they are not going to make a U-turn and come back to Ironton," he said.

Bob Clyse, owner of Bob Clyse Oldsmobile, Pontiac, GMC said he heavily opposes the B/C-1a proposal, which would impact his business.

Clyse said he plans to use "every legal means possible" to ensure the B/C-1a proposal is not selected for the project, unless it can be proven it is in the best interest of the city.

"To find another location in Ironton would be unlikely," he said, adding that even if he could find another location in the city General Motors would prefer the business be located on a four-lane highway.

As Ironton"s economy stands, the possibility of loosing commerce would be detrimental, city councilman Jesse Roberts said.

"Taking any business out of Ironton is something we can’t justify," said Roberts.