The National Scenic Byway Program was established by congress in 1991 with a mission to promote highways with scenic, historic and recreational qualities. The Ohio River Scenic Byway was added in 1996, and was one of the original 14 byways. The Ohio River travels almost 1,000 miles, touches six states, and is the largest tributary of the Mississippi River. The byway winds through three states (Ohio, Indiana & Illinois) and covers close to 950 miles.
     One of the old relics used to cross the Ohio River since 1927, has been replaced with a modern cable-stayed bridge. Pictured here, in Portsmouth along the Ohio River Scenic Byway, is the newly constructed U.S. Grant Bridge. This graceful span, which opened in 2006, links Ohio with neighboring Kentucky.
     The original U.S. Grant Bridge, built with a suspension design, was the only way to cross the Ohio River in Scioto County for over five decades. Since the 80's, the Jesse Stuart Memorial Bridge and the Carl Perkins Bridge have added vital links to South Portsmouth.