KASICH
By WAYNE ALLEN
PDT Staff Writer
Gov. John R. Kasich is scheduled to attend events in West Portsmouth and Ironton today.
He is scheduled to speak at the dedication ceremony of the 10th Scioto County Habitat For Humanity house in West Portsmouth at 1:30 p.m. Before that, he is expected to attend a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Ironton-Russell Bridge at 11 a.m.
“We are excited to have Gov. Kasich to be a part of our celebration,” said Laura Walker, Scioto County Habitat For Humanity co-president.
She said the West Portsmouth build is being dedicated to the late Dr. Thomas Swope. Swope was member of Habitat’s board of directors at the time of his death.
“There will be a ceremony starting at 1:30 p.m. at the house (315 Lincoln St.) in which the governor will deliver remarks. We encourage people to come and help us celebrate. All of this would not have been possible without the help of the community. With the continued support of the community, we will be able to provide safe, decent and affordable housing into the future,” Walker said.
She said the group is slated to complete three homes this year, one in West Portsmouth and two in Portsmouth.
Scioto County Habitat for Humanity has nine homes throughout Scioto County, with four homes in Portsmouth, four in New Boston and one in South Webster.
At 11 a.m., Kasich is scheduled to attend a ground-breaking ceremony with Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Mike Hancock, Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship and Russell, Ky., Mayor William Hopkins.
According to ODOT, the existing bridge that connects Ironton with Russell, Ky., will be replaced and the new bridge will be relocated between Second and Jefferson streets in downtown Ironton and the U.S. 23 viaduct south of Russell. The project also includes demolition of the existing or old bridge upon completion of the new structure. ODOT estimates the project will take three to four years to complete. The ground-breaking ceremony will take place at Depot Square on Second Street, between Park Avenue and Vernon Streets in downtown Ironton.
Wayne Allen can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.
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