Kentucky, Ohio Break Ground On Bridge Project

The Kentucky and Ohio governors broke ground May 8 for a new bridge crossing the Ohio River at Cincinnati, Ohio.

The governors were joined by federal, state and local leaders for the ground-breaking ceremony on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, which they called one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the nation.

This phase of the project will build a new state-of-the-art cable-stayed companion bridge to the existing Brent Spence Bridge, which is considered among the worst traffic bottlenecks in the United States, Beshear’s office said in a news release. More than $1 billion in freight passes through the I-71/I-75 corridor daily. The existing Brent Spence Bridge, which carries the interstates, has served the region since 1963. It currently carries significantly more traffic than it was designed to handle. In 1985, to deal with rapidly growing traffic demand, the bridge was reconfigured to add a fourth lane in each direction, by removing emergency shoulders and narrowing lanes, resulting in impacts to driver safety and significant congestion caused by vehicle breakdowns or minor crashes that block traffic.

“The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project represents one of the most significant transportation improvements in the country,” Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn said. “This critical economic artery for our states and nation will fix the paralysis that grips the region when accidents occur, stop the severe overcrowding and save lives.”

In addition to construction of the companion bridge, this $4.05 billion phase of the project also includes improvements to the existing Brent Spence Bridge for local traffic, such as the restoration of the emergency shoulders, redesigned ramp configurations and new pedestrian and bike paths to strengthen community connectivity.

Walsh Kokosing Joint Venture is the lead design-build team (DBT) contractor for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Design-Build Project. AECOM is the lead designer. Jacobs is the independent companion bridge engineer, and Parsons is the independent design quality firm. The project is being managed by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

“The bridge project was funded primarily through federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. The balance of the project’s funding is expected to be covered through state revenues and/or through financing. Each state will cover the cost of its own highway work and share the cost of the companion bridge.

The companion bridge is expected to open in 2031, with approach work substantially complete by 2033, according to Beshear’s office. Early construction activities this spring and summer include approach work for the companion bridge, utility relocations and preparation for bridge foundation work in the Ohio River.

For project updates, travel advisories and construction information, visit BrentSpenceBridgeCorridor.com or follow the project on Facebook, X or Instagram.

Featured photo caption: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (fifth from left), Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (seventh from left) and Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell (fourth from left), were among the officials who ceremonially turned shovels of dirt May 8 during the ground-breaking ceremony for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project. (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Governor’s Office)