Governors Beshear and DeWine reveal the design for a companion bridge within the Brent Spence Bridge Infrastructure plan
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is set to undergo a transformative change with the construction of a new state-of-the-art cable-stayed, double-decker bridge. This innovative design has been chosen to address critical capacity and safety issues, as the existing Brent Spence Bridge, built in 1963, now carries more than double its intended daily vehicle volume.
The cable-stayed, double-decker design offers superior structural support, maximising traffic lanes in a limited footprint. This design will significantly increase traffic capacity, modernise the infrastructure, and improve traffic flow, reducing congestion on this vital interstate corridor. The new bridge will also become an iconic addition to the Cincinnati skyline, marking a modern and recognisable infrastructure element for the region.
The motivation behind this choice is multifaceted. The existing bridge, designed for approximately 80,000 vehicles daily, now carries 160,000 to 180,000 vehicles per day. The double-decker feature efficiently separates directional traffic and potentially local and interstate flows, aiding overall corridor management. The project aims to improve safety, capacity, and traffic flow on a key stretch of the U.S. Interstate Highway system that handles about 3% of the national GDP.
Construction on the new bridge is planned to begin immediately west of the existing bridge, with early work commencing in 2025 and a groundbreaking expected in early 2026. Completion is anticipated in the early 2030s. The new bridge design is lower in cost and easier to build compared to other options considered.
The new bridge will carry traffic on I-71 and I-75, with northbound drivers enjoying unobstructed views of the Cincinnati skyline and the bridge's unique design from the top level. The existing Brent Spence Bridge will be reconfigured to three lanes on each deck with emergency shoulders on each side, carrying local traffic between Covington and Cincinnati. No steel work will connect the two decks of the new bridge.
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is one of the nation's most significant transportation transformations, spanning eight miles of I-71/I-75 in Kentucky and I-75 in Ohio. The project includes improvements to the existing Brent Spence Bridge, redesigned ramp configurations throughout the corridor, new pedestrian and bike paths, and aesthetic improvements designed to create walkable, urban environments.
The new bridge design has received acknowledgement from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) concurring with the bridge type. The design underwent extensive technical review and wind testing to ensure its safety and efficiency. The project team will continue refining project and design details.
For updates on the project, visit www.BrentSpenceBridgeCorridor.com. The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is not a toll road, aiming to improve safety and strengthen economic development opportunities without imposing tolls on commuters. The project is moving toward final engineering and construction phases following the bridge design selection, marking a major milestone in the 8-mile-long Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.
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