The $3.6 billion plan to improve the Brent Spence Bridge corridor in Cincinnati has cleared a new hurdle, paving the way for the project to possibly break ground "in the coming months," according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
State and federal transportation officials on Friday said the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved Ohio and Kentucky’s environmental assessment for the bridge work. That will allow the project to move toward final design and then construction.
Federal officials said the Biden administration’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure law is making the Brent Spence Bridge project possible.
“This is a big step in supporting the president’s commitment to rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure,” said Shailen Bhatt, Federal Highway Administrator, in a statement.
With the federal sign-off, Ohio and Kentucky can take “an important step forward in bringing efficiency to our nation’s supply chain,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in a statement “The project will address one of the worst truck bottlenecks in the nation by improving safety and travel on an interstate connection that carries more than $400 billion worth of freight every year.”
The Brent Spence Bridge project, planned for two decades, advanced in February 2022 when the states agreed to move forward without adding tolls to the current bridge or the new one that will be built to its immediate west. It gained more momentum when Biden visited Covington in January 2023 to tout the federal government’s $1.6 billion contribution to the project.
Over that time, the states have conducted 16 neighborhood meetings, two open houses and five public hearings to solicit public input.
“Stakeholder participation has been invaluable to the project team,” Jim Gray, secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, said in a news release.
"We will continue to engage with community members and listen to their feedback to obtain the best outcome for the people who rely on the corridor," said Jack Marchbanks, director of Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), in a statement. "The Federal Highway Administration's approval is important but so, too, is the quality of life for residents in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky."
Even with construction soon to begin, the states will continue to engage with the community and listen to feedback, added Jack Marchbanks, director of ODOT.
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project will improve eight miles of Interstate 71/75, and reconfigure lanes on the existing bridge to serve local traffic while constructing the new bridge with two decks to handle interstate travel.
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Source: Cincinnati.com, WCPO.com
