Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday they will jointly pursue up to $2 billion in federal funding to reduce traffic congestion on and around the Brent Spence Bridge.
The governors said they would ask for funding to build a new companion bridge to the Brent Spence Bridge, which connects Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Ky. The goal would be to give drivers an alternative to the Brent Spence Bridge.
“For decades, the backups on the Brent Spence Bridge have frustrated drivers, hindered economic development, and slowed supply chain deliveries. Today, a solution is in reach, and we are committed to aggressively working together to secure this funding to help us fix this transportation nightmare once and for all,” DeWine said. “Not only will this project improve quality of life for drivers in Ohio and Kentucky, but keeping this major transportation network open and moving will also have a significant positive impact on our national economy and national security.”
The two governors signed a memorandum of understanding to confirm the states’ willingness to work together on the project. The memorandum directs transportation officials in both states to prepare for construction.
“With today’s signing, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the State of Ohio are aligning our efforts to make this project a reality,” Beshear said. “This memorandum spells out our obligations and positions us to quickly apply for these federal dollars, which will allow us not only to build this new bridge – but to do it without tolls! And just as important: This project shows what we in government can do when we embrace cooperation and progress and simply do what is best for our people.”
Constructed in the 1960s to carry around 80,000 vehicles a day, the Brent Spence Bridge now carries traffic for both I-75 and I-71 and reaches up to 160,000 vehicles a day. Slowdowns on the bridge impact commerce running from Canada to Florida along I-75, the governors said. The double-decker cantilevered truss bridge is one of four bridges that carry traffic from Northern Kentucky to Cincinnati, Ohio. The top deck of the Brent Spence Bridge carries Kentucky-bound traffic, while the bottom deck carries Ohio-bound traffic.
In November 2020, a truck carrying potassium hydroxide crashed into a jackknifed truck sparking a fire on the lower deck of the Brent Spence Bridge. The bridge was closed for repairs until the beginning of 2021.
The planned bridge will not replace the existing Brent Spence Bridge because that bridge is still structurally sound. The funding would instead cover most of the cost for the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to construct the companion bridge west of the current bridge and make improvements to the existing bridge. Officials said the new bridge would add capacity by separating local and through traffic and would ease ongoing backup issues.
Officials said the states will apply for federal grant funding together as soon as the U.S. Department of Transportation releases application guidance. Both states have agreed to contribute any required matching funds if federal funding is granted.