Ironton city council’s public utilities committee has weighed in with its recommendation for an Ironton-Russell, Ky.

Thursday, August 16, 2001

Ironton city council’s public utilities committee has weighed in with its recommendation for an Ironton-Russell, Ky., bridge placement. Now it’s up to council to decide whether to carry out with the committee’s proposal.

The group met last night to discuss three bridge placement options presented to them by ODOT. The committee, along with other councilmen present at the session, agreed to recommend bridge alternative B/C-3C.

This plan allows for Second Street to remain open with traffic moving as it currently does, but closing Jefferson and Madison streets to through traffic from Campbell and Second streets.

Keeping Second Street open is important to some council members.

Councilman, and committee member, Bob Lipker said it is imperative the city leaves Second Street open for future development. He said the addition of businesses in the city will come from the south side because there is more space for new buildings. Councilman Brent Pyles said all three of ODOT’s plans "significantly impacts" the city, but closing Second Street, which is called for in alternative B/C-3A, would be a setback for the city.

With this plan, traffic would flow from the touchdown point and would have to make one left turn and go through one signal to reach the downtown district. Bridge traffic is distributed to Second and Third streets to downtown. In order to go south, traffic would flow through two signals and one right turn.

Alternative B/C-3C, according to ODOT figures, will cost about $79 million to complete.

The touchdown point in Kentucky will be at U.S. 23 at the viaduct.

Once council passes a resolution, ODOT will be able to move forward with further studies needed to further design the bridge’s placement.

A resolution will be presented to council for a decision at a future meeting.