Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled the design for the companion bridge for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project recently, a major project milestone.
The state-of-the-art cable-stayed bridge will create an iconic landmark in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, the governors said, and provide safety and economic changes to one of the country’s most significant transportation projects.
“The new companion bridge will be a game-changer for commuting families, and it’ll revolutionize a crucial economic corridor,” Beshear said. “This is a project that has been dreamed of for years and that many said would never happen. But we are getting it done by working together – and we’re doing it without tolls.”
The companion bridge will be a cable-stayed independent deck bridge, which uses cabling to support the bi-level bridge’s lower deck instead of a traditional steel truss system. officials said, making it lower cost and easier to build. The change means both decks will be supported by a cabling system similar to those used in other modern bridges like the Abraham Lincoln Bridge in Louisville and the Veterans Glass City Skyway in Toledo. Unlike other double-deck bridges, no steel work will connect the two decks, officials said.
“As we went through the designs, we wanted this bridge to be cost effective, functional and safe, but we also wanted it to look good,” DeWine said. “This bridge will become an iconic part of the Cincinnati skyline and create a landmark gateway that honors our states’ excellence in engineering, transforms the daily commute and keeps commerce moving.”
Designs for the bridge were evaluated by visual and aesthetic criteria and their potential to become a recognizable regional landmark, as well as their technical specifications and wind testing. Officials said that ultimately, cost, constructability and schedule were the selection process’ deciding factors.
On the current Brent Spence Bridge, drivers heading south into Kentucky use the upper deck. On the new bridge, northbound driver will use the top level giving them unobstructed views of the Cincinnati skyline.
“This is more than just a bridge – it’s a long-overdue investment in the future of our region,” said Ohio Department of Transportation Director Pamela Boratyn. “For decades, communities have waited for a safer, more efficient crossing that not only eases traffic and improves safety but also strengthens one of our most critical freight corridors. This new bridge will unlock economic opportunities, support regional growth and better connect people and commerce for generations to come.”
The project now moves closer to construction.
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project will build not only the new companion bridge but also make improvements to the existing Brent Spence Bridge for local traffic, redesign ramp configurations throughout the corridor, connect new pedestrian and bike paths in local communities with transit and employment centers and make aesthetic improvements to create walkable, urban environments.