Groundbreaking
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine joined federal, state and local leaders on May 8 to break ground on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project at the Duke Energy site where the new companion bridge will span the Ohio River. Among those participating were ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn, KYTC Secretary Rebecca Goodman, Federal Highway Administration Administrator Sean McMaster, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, Amy Spiller, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky, and Chris Lyons, vice president commercial, North American Stainless.
Demolition Begins
Initial demolition gets under way at Longworth Hall, beginning with the removal of the 1960s addition followed by approximately 200 feet of the original building.
Construction Plans Finalized
The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announce approval by the Ohio Controlling Board for authority to finalize construction plans and put shovels in the ground this spring on the transformational Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.
Demolition of the ARTIMIS Building
Construction crews successfully demolished the ARTIMIS building, built in 1995, to make room for new ramps and clear the final obstacle for the new companion bridge approach. To prepare the corridor for full construction, preparation work continues in other areas, including utility relocations and tree clearing. Final plans are prepared for the demolition and subsequent reconstruction of a 200-foot portion of Longworth Hall to accommodate the new companion bridge.
Mussels Relocated
A consulting firm that specializes in rare, threatened and endangered species begins the process of relocating mussels in the Ohio River to make way for the companion bridge that will be built as part of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project. Commercial divers with the Bio Survey Group descend to the river’s bottom in the vicinity of the new bridge’s location immediately west of the existing bridge. The divers extract the mussels from the sediment and safely transport them to a location upstream of construction impact areas.
Companion Bridge Design Unveiled
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear unveil the state-of-the-art design of the new companion bridge to be built as part of the project. The selected design, a cable-stayed independent deck bridge, underwent extensive technical review and wind testing. Ultimately, cost, constructability, and schedule were the deciding factors in the selection of the bridge type. Compared to the other options considered, this design is lower in cost and easier to build.
Outreach Events
The project team plans for dozens of outreach events throughout 2025 to connect students, job seekers and businesses to career and business opportunities. The project is expected to generate approximately six million hours of work and employ more than 700 skilled tradespeople, with the workforce potentially reaching 1,000 at peak construction. Outreach includes job fairs at libraries and community locations, workforce information sessions at Longworth Hall, a spring break series highlighting new career pathways and virtual monthly meetings.
New Street Grid
A new street grid reconnecting downtown Cincinnati to Queensgate and reduced impacts to Goebel Park in Covington are among seven major innovations announced by officials, who say the design refinements will enhance the project based on engineering evaluations and public comment. The innovations meet or exceed the contract objectives of improving quality, reducing costs, shortening schedule, improving safety and/or supporting local communities. More than 100 suggestions were submitted to the project team from the public, key local stakeholders and the design-build team.
Contract Awarded
Walsh Kokosing is awarded the project’s design-build contract. The agreement with the project’s prime contractor addresses six of the corridor’s eight miles, including five miles of Interstates 71 and 75 in Kentucky and one mile of I-75 in Ohio. It also includes improvements to the Brent Spence Bridge and the construction of a new companion bridge to its immediate west. Work on the two northernmost miles of the corridor will be conducted under separate contracts.
Funding Secured
After nearly 20 years of planning, the project can move forward when it is awarded $1.635 billion in federal grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet applied jointly for the funding.
Footprint Reduced
Based on community engagement, as well as a thorough technical analysis, the footprint of the new bridge is significantly reduced from the 2012 proposal. Revised plans show the new bridge at almost half the size of the 2012 footprint.
FONSI Finding Released
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project receives federal environmental approval when the Federal Highway Administration issues a Finding of No Significant Impact, or FONSI, in connection with its review of an environmental assessment that analyzes the project’s impacts to the natural and human environment.
Website and Communication Begin
A project website, newsletters and roving display are among the measures implemented to solicit ideas and comments from stakeholders and residents about the project. Advisory and aesthetic committees are formed, and public meetings are conducted. A coordinated communications program also educates the public on the long-term benefits of the infrastructure improvements under consideration, such as improved mobility.
Memorandum of Understanding Signed
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Ohio Department of Transportation sign a memorandum of understanding, formally agreeing to study and develop a project to improve the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor. This marks the beginning of a collaboration to address the bridge’s infrastructure needs, including Interstates 71 and 75.
Shoulders Removed
To alleviate congestion on the Brent Spence Bridge, which is already a major commuter and freight route, officials remove the emergency shoulders so they can add a fourth lane of traffic in each direction.
Bridge Opens
With two decks and three lanes in each direction, the Brent Spence Bridge opens to traffic. Motorists jump the gun, crossing the bridge as soon as workers remove barricades and before a motorcade of elected officials can cross the span. The bridge is designed to accommodate 80,000 vehicles per day.