The original blue cantilever Ironton–Russell Bridge, opened in 1922 and closed in 2016, carried two lanes of traffic and a narrow sidewalk.

As a result of these findings, ODOT added reinforcements to some vertical members to improve structural redundancy.

[1] The original span was still forced to close when temperatures approach –5 degrees Fahrenheit due to the brittle nature of the steel used.

[4][5] In 2000, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) released a report recommending the replacement of the then 78-year-old original span.

[4][5] The new bridge opened on November 23, 2016, with a ceremony and parade through Ironton and Russell that included crossing both the new and original structures.