Representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation will once again be in Ironton to answer the public’s question regarding the proposed Ironton – Russell bridge.

Wednesday, May 09, 2001

Representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation will once again be in Ironton to answer the public’s question regarding the proposed Ironton – Russell bridge.

Mayor Bob Cleary said ODOT officials will be at Thursday’s meeting to address some of the questions that came from the last time ODOT was at the city council meeting. The April meeting stemmed from an ordinance passed by Ironton council requesting Cleary arrange a meeting with ODOT to discuss the proposed bridge.

In a previous interview, council chairman Jim Tordiff said meetings with the state agency were needed because "there has been so many rumors…we are simply trying to piecemeal things together so we know what our rights, responsibilities and our options are."

"There were a lot of questions asked at the last meeting, they (ODOT officials) researched the ideas brought up…and they’re going to give a report."

At the last meeting with ODOT, the state officials said both Ironton and Russell, Ky. councils must reach a compromise before the bridge plans can move forward.

Kathleen Fuller, the public information officer for ODOT’s District 9, said the highway department would like to see the two communities reach a consensus on the bridge’s location. She said a consensus was needed to "get the project moving forward…I think we’re heading in that direction."

The meeting will be held after council’s regular scheduled meeting which starts at 6 p.m.