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Oakley Clark Collins Memorial Bridge

Oakley Clark Collins Memorial Bridge

Published February 28, 2020 By Sherman Cahal

The Oakley Clark Collins Memorial Bridge, a cable-stayed suspension bridge, spans the Ohio River to connect Ironton, Ohio, with Russell, Kentucky. It was officially opened on November 23, 2016, serving as a replacement for the previous Ironton-Russell Bridge.

Table Of Contents
  1. History
  2. Gallery

History

Proposal

The Oakley Clark Collins Memorial Bridge, a cable-stayed suspension bridge, spans the Ohio River to connect Ironton, Ohio, with Russell, Kentucky. It was officially opened on November 23, 2016, serving as a replacement for the previous Ironton-Russell Bridge.

In early 1999, environmental studies were initiated for a proposed $33 million project to replace the Ironton-Russell Bridge. 6 The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) contracted Michael Baker Jr., Inc. with a $1.1 million agreement to investigate potential locations for the new bridge. Originally, construction was slated to start in 2003, aiming for completion in 2006.

However, the city of Ironton rejected all four initial locations suggested by ODOT on September 16, 1999, 7 preferring a new two-lane bridge near the existing site. 15 This proposal met opposition from the city of Russell due to potential residential demolitions. 10 ODOT later added two more corridors and two bridge rehabilitation options, 13 14 hoping to select a preferred alignment by early 2000. 8

By July 2000, estimated costs for the new bridge had escalated to between $42 million and $61 million, significantly higher than the initial $33 to $35 million estimate, primarily due to rising material costs. 12 By August 28, six proposed alignments were narrowed down to two: 13

  • Alternate Alignment B, connecting Willow Alley in Russell to Second and Adams streets in Ironton.
  • Alignment BC-1, connecting US Route 23 and KY Route 244 in Russell to Second and Adams streets in Ironton.

The preliminary design of the bridge featured a 2,616-foot length with a 900-foot main span, two 370-foot auxiliary spans, two 12-foot lanes, ten-foot shoulders, a bicycle path and sidewalk, and a 500-foot central tower. 2

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in June 2002, and the final EIS in January 2003, 18 leading to the start of preliminary design and right-of-way work in April. 21

In April 2005, Alignment BC-1 was chosen as the preferred option. 23 However, by then, the estimated construction costs had surged to $73 million. 24 The initial design was abandoned in January 2006 when the lowest construction bid was nearly $110 million, attributed to material cost inflation after Hurricane Katrina. 1

A revised bridge proposal in 2012 featured a narrower width (from 48 feet to 32 feet) 2 and two shorter 315-foot towers instead of one central tower, aimed at cost reduction. 26 Innovations included pre-cast stay anchor blocks and the use of pre-cast elements, reducing the need for temporary structures during construction. These changes reduced the estimated cost to $81.2 million.

Construction

Construction on the new Ohio River crossing began on March 5, 2012, with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 3. 28 29 The Oakley Clark Collins Bridge opened on November 23, 2016, at a cost of $81.4 million. 29 30 The opening was celebrated with a ceremony and a parade across the old and new bridges. 30

The last people to cross the old bridge were Verna Mae Sloan, 102, from Ironton, and Della Burton, 102, from Russell. 29 Demolition of the old bridge commenced in late January 2017. 31

Details

  • State: Kentucky, Ohio
  • Route: OH Route 93
  • Status: Active (Automobile)
  • Type: Cable-Stay Suspension
  • Total Length: 2,616'
  • Main Span Length: 900'
  • Spans: 0
  • Deck Width: 32'
  • Roadway Width: 0
  • Height of Structure: 0
  • Above Vertical Clearance: 0
  • Navigational Clearance: 0

Sources

  1. “Cutting the cost.” Ashland Daily Independent, July 7, 2006. August 24, 2007.
  2. Hart, Kenneth. “Ironton-Russell Bridge.” Ashland Daily Independent, July 6, 2006. August 24, 2007.
  3. Hart, Kenneth. “Bridge rehab funding approved.” Ashland Daily Independent, August 20, 2006. August 24, 2007.
  4. “Spring inspections bring fall rehabilitation.” Ashland Daily Independent, February 28, 2007. August 24, 2007.
  5. James, Mike. “Ironton-Russell bridge still on back burner.” Ashland Daily Independent, March 20, 2007. August 24, 2007.
  6. Malloy, David E. “Study begins in effort to build bridge.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 27 Jan. 1999.
  7. Malloy, David E. “Ironton council says `no’ to bridge closure.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 10 Sept. 1999.
  8. Malloy, David E. “Official urges end.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 18 Sept. 1999.
  9. Malloy, David E. “Weight limits on bridge to be tested.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 26 Oct. 1999.
  10. Malloy, David E. “Ohio wants more bridge studies.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 23 Nov. 1999.
  11. Ross, Jim. “Ironton-Russell Bridge opened in 1922.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 22 Dec. 1999.
  12. Malloy, David E. “Ironton bridge estimate goes up.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 6 July 2000.
  13. Redekopp, Christina. “Ironton-Russell bridge proposals narrowed to two.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 6 July 2000.
  14. Malloy, David E. “Two Ironton bridge sites proposed.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 25 Oct. 2000.
  15. Malloy, David E. “Ironton rescinds action on bridge.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 25 May 2001.
  16. Malloy, David E. “Ironton-Russell bridge repairs could end by winter.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 1 July 2001.
  17. Malloy, David E. “Bridge to be closed in harsh weather.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 18 Jan. 2002.
  18. Malloy, David E. “Ironton-Russell bridge to be repaired.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 7 June 2002.
  19. Malloy, David E. “Ironton bridge project still needs funds.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 19 June 2002.
  20. Malloy, David E. “Impact study for new bridge completed.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 27 Jan. 2003.
  21. Malloy, David E. “Feds approve Ironton bridge.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 12 April 2003.
  22. Malloy, David E. “Falcons take flight.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 19 May 2004.
  23. Malloy, David E. “Bridge work may be bid on in fall.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 15 April 2005.
  24. “Ironton-Russell Bridge is long past its prime.” Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) 19 April 2005.
  25. Shaffer, Mark. “Bridge to have periodic closures.” Ironton Tribune 24 May 2008. 13 Feb. 2009.
  26. Pfuntner, Jerry, and Tom Hesmond. “Perseverance and Innovation: Lessons from Ohio’s Ironton-Russell Bridge Replacement Project.” The American Road Transportation Builders Association. N.p., Apr. 2016. Web. 08 Sept. 2016.
  27. Adkins, Andrew. “Spanning It All.” Daily Independent [Ashland] 8 Jan. 2016: n.p. Web. 08 Sept. 2016.
  28. “Groundbreaking Held for New Ironton-Russell Bridge.” WSAZ [Charleston] 3 May 2012: n.p. Web. 08 Sept. 2016.
  29. Nash, Bishop. “Ironton-Russell Bridge is now open to traffic.” Herald-Dispatch [Huntington] 24 Nov. 2016: n.p. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.
  30. Malloy, David E. “Oakley Clark Collins Bridge opens to public today in Ironton and Russell.” Herald-Dispatch [Huntington] 23 Nov. 2016: n.p. Web. 28 Dec. 2016.
  31. James, Mike. “First step in bridge demolition tentatively set for next week.” Daily Independent [Ashland] 21 Jan. 2017: n.p. Web. 23 Jan. 2017.

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