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. 

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) are fully committed to robust public involvement to gain insights and receive feedback as part of the project development process. 

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 significantly reduced local impacts while investing in underserved populations on both sides of the river. 

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 a new companion bridge 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 by clicking here. Additionally, public meetings will be held prior to the Federal Highway Administration finalizing a NEPA decision. Dates, times, and locations of the meetings have not been determined yet. You can be notified when the meetings are scheduled by signing up for project updates below. 

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

Project Schedule

Public Comments

Below are responses from the project team to specific public comments that have been publicized via regional media. 

• Response to public comment – WORKING POSITION PAPER: REDESIGN OF THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE PROJECT
• Response to public comment – BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE PROJECT – RECONNECTING CINCINNATI WESTWAY DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS
• Response to public comment – CITY OF CINCINNATI BSB CORRIDOR CONCEPT I-W AND CINCINNATI USA REGIONAL CHAMBER FOOTPRINT MINIMIZATION

*** 
Additional Public Comment and Response Summaries for the time period noted below.

• Public Comment and Response Summary (June 2022 – November 2022)