Ohio, Kentucky seek $1.66 billion in funding for Brent Spence Bridge project

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear jointly submitted an application requesting nearly $2 billion in federal funding to improve the Brent Spence Bridge corridor.

“The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor is a vital centerpiece to the interstate system of the United States,” DeWine said in a press release.

“With the current supply chain crisis in our country, the issue of ensuring that this major transportation corridor stays open and moving has never been more urgent.”

Both governors signed a memorandum of understanding seeking to secure federal funding from the infrastructure bill back in February.

Ohio and Kentucky are seeking $1.66 billion in federal grant funding through the Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant. According to a press release, the grant request represents approximately 60% of the remaining $2.77 billion project cost. Each state will also allocate significant state and other federal dollars toward the project. The states will split the cost of the new bridge 50/50, and each state will be responsible for the needed work on its side of the border.

“Ohio and Kentucky are working together to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the quality of life for the millions of Americans,” Beshear said.

“The time is now to invest in transformative infrastructure that supports our growing workforce and safe travel along one of the nation’s most important commerce corridors.”

In the release, the governors state that the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project will construct a critical companion bridge next to the existing Brent Spence Bridge to improve traffic flow and safety. Improvements will also be made to the interstate network on either side of the bridges throughout an eight-mile corridor from the Western Hills Viaduct interchange in Ohio to Dixie Highway in Kentucky.

According to Governor DeWine’s office, the additional capacity will alleviate congestion, improve safety and open up this nationally significant freight corridor, which carries an estimated 3% of the nation’s gross domestic product annually.

The Ohio Department of Transportation and The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) are working together on this project. Here are what both departments agree should be the next steps:

Sign “Interstate Cooperative Agreement”

Apply for federal grants, when made available

Complete an environmental reevaluation, develop financing and project management plans

Acquire property needed for construction

Prepare documents and plans to contract with companies who will manage the design and construction.