The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires projects funded with federal money to adhere to strict guidelines that support decision-making and ensure that agencies assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. Agencies also are required to provide opportunities for the general public, as well as those who are impacted by potential projects, to review and comment on their evaluations.

You can read more about NEPA here. 

ODOT and KYTC have engaged in thorough public involvement since the inception of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project and have worked closely with local partners to incorporate changes to the project that have already substantially reduced local impacts while investing in underserved populations on both sides of the river. 

As a result of these efforts, the project will provide multiple quality of life improvements in communities within the corridor, such as new bike and pedestrian connections, noise mitigation, and aesthetic features that establish a more dynamic sense of place in local neighborhoods. 

A preferred alternative for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project was approved in 2012. 

The 2012 decision was based on a federally-prescribed evaluation process that included detailed technical and environmental analysis, as well as comprehensive public engagement. 

In accordance with NEPA, a supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) is being prepared to evaluate impacts that would result from design or policy changes and any impacts that are different due to site-specific conditions that may have changed since 2012. As part of this evaluation, the public is invited to provide feedback here.

Additional information about the NEPA evaluation can be found in the Document Center.

Supplemental environmental assessment approved in May 2024

A Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) was required for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project to assess updated regulatory requirements, changed site conditions, design refinements to the previously selected alternative, impact changes (mostly reductions), further environmental commitments (enhancements and mitigation), and additional NEPA reevaluation and coordination efforts that have occurred since the original environmental assessment was approved in 2012.

KYTC and ODOT conducted 16 neighborhood meetings and two open house events since late 2022 to solicit comments on the project plan. In addition, five public hearings were conducted in February, providing the public an opportunity to comment on the project’s supplemental environmental assessment. The project team maintains a project website, social media presence, monthly e-newsletters and regular news releases. Each of these communication channels enables the project team to keep the public informed while providing opportunities for residents and interested parties to share feedback.

Public hearings were held in February 2024 to present project information and allow members of the public to provide comments on the SEA. More than 550 individuals attended four in-person hearings, held at the Radisson Hotel in Covington and Longworth Hall in Cincinnati, and a virtual hearing. All attendees heard a formal presentation about the project and the assessment and had the opportunity to make formal spoken comments, addressing the project team. All comments were transcribed and recorded into the project’s public record and responded to in writing. This handout was available at the public hearings.

In May 2024, the FHWA issued a “Finding of No Significant Impact,” or FONSI, approving and concluding the federal environmental review and allowing the project to advance to design and construction.

More information on public involvement efforts can be found here.

Project Schedule

The project team has updated the project timeline to reflect an adjustment to the environmental process. This change does not have an impact on the construction schedule or overall completion of the project.