Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recently held a ribbon-cutting for the $24 million Russell Bridge into downtown Russell.
The bridge, which spans the Ohio River and links Russell to Ironton, Ohio, will open later this month.
The bridge replaces a 1930s-era viaduct. It features a “flyover” design and is expected to ease congestion at the Kentucky approach to the Ohio River bridge as well as the intersection of U.S. 23 and Kentucky Route 244.
Work included relocating KY 244 from branching off U.S. 23 at the intersection to northward and carried by the new bridge in a loop over U.S. 23 and adjacent railroad tracks.
Construction began in April 2020, and the new KY 244 and flyover bridge are scheduled to be fully opened the week of Nov. 15.
The project is part of a $110 million bi-state investment in regional transportation that also includes the $80 million Ironton-Russell bridge.
“This project, together with the recently constructed Ironton-Russell bridge, will provide a gateway for generations of travelers and thousands upon thousands of drivers and tons of cargo that flow through this region,” Beshear said. “To build a better Kentucky, we need modern transportation infrastructure, and this new road and bridge project is a prime example that will keep our people safer.”