FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Govs. Steve Beshear of Kentucky and John Kasich of Ohio have broken ground on a proposed $81 million bridge to cross the Ohio River.

The ceremony was held Thursday.

The Ohio Department of Transportation awarded a contract in January to Pennsylvania-based Brayman Construction Corp. to build the span that will link Russell, Ky., and Ironton, Ohio. The overall cost includes demolition of an existing bridge.

The project could take up to four years to complete.

The bridge will link Second and Jefferson streets in Ironton with the U.S. 23 viaduct south of Russell.