Toll-Free Bridge Set

Article taken from The Hillsboro Press Gazette, May 2, 1974

Frankfort, Ky. (AP) --- A ribbon cutting ceremony was scheduled this afternoon at the Grant Bridge on the Ohio River----marketing the removal of tolls on the span connecting South Portsmouth, Ky. and Portsmouth, Ohio.

Kentucky Gov. Wendell Ford and Transportation Secretary James Gray were to join in the ceremonies.

Ford and Ohio Gov. John Gilligan arranged the agreement, in response to recommendations from citizen groups and leaders in the two states who stressed that a free bridge would establish stronger ties between Portsmouth and nearby Kentucky communities.

Under the original bond payment schedule, the debt would have been paid off and the bridge made toll free late in 1975.

The ceremony was to take place in late afternoon after a parade from Kentucky to the Ohio side of the river.