Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear have unveiled the design of a next-generation companion bridge spanning the Ohio River, a major milestone in the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project — one of the nation’s most crucial transportation infrastructure investments.
“This new cutting-edge bridge that will cross the Ohio River from Cincinnati to Northern Kentucky will not only make travel and safety between our two states better, it will be a iconic part of the Cincinnati skyline,” Governor Beshear tweeted on X. “It will cure one of the worst truck bottlenecks in the country.”
The new bridge, constructed with the concurrent guidance of the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, will be a two-decked, cable-stayed bridge. It won’t contain steel between the bottom and top decks, as the Brent Spence Bridge does now — an engineering design that allows for a more airy and visually striking form.
Unobstructed views
According to project officials, traffic flowing from the north will travel on the top deck of the new bridge, giving drivers panoramic, unobstructed views of downtown Cincinnati. The cabling system holding up both decks will give the structure a touch of modernity, making it an architectural landmark of the future.
“These were bridges that were safe, efficient, and affordable — but we also wanted them to be beautiful,” Governor DeWine said. “This bridge will be an iconic feature of the Cincinnati skyline and a landmark gateway that symbolizes our states’ excellence.”
Read also: Orange County Advances Plans for Futuristic $35M I-Drive Pedestrian Bridge
The new bridge is one aspect of a broader $3.6B project to modernize the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor, an eight-mile stretch of I-71/I-75 in Kentucky and I-75 in Ohio. Improvements to the existing Brent Spence Bridge, newly designed ramps, new bike and pedestrian paths, and upgrades designed to make the area more walkable and walkable, interconnected urban community.
With the design now selected and federal approval by the Federal Highway Administration in hand, the project moves into final construction and engineering phases. Once finished, the companion bridge is expected to significantly reduce traffic jams, improve freight movement, and open up opportunities for regional economic development.
Read also: Initial Work on the $3.6B Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project Begins This Summer
Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project: Companion Bridge Design Unveiled
Project Overview
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project represents one of the most significant transportation infrastructure investments in the United States, featuring a new companion bridge over the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Bridge Design Highlights
Structure Type: Cable-stayed, two-deck bridge
Engineering Innovation: No steel required between top and bottom decks
Visual Impact: Open, modern design creating an iconic Cincinnati skyline landmark
Traffic Flow: Northbound traffic on top deck with unobstructed downtown Cincinnati views
Project Scope
The comprehensive modernization covers an 8-mile stretch of I-71/I-75 in Kentucky and I-75 in Ohio, including:
New companion bridge construction
Existing Brent Spence Bridge upgrades
Reconfigured highway ramps
New pedestrian and bicycle pathways
Urban connectivity enhancements
Key Benefits
Traffic Relief: Addresses one of the nation’s worst truck bottlenecks
Safety Improvements: Enhanced travel safety between Ohio and Kentucky
Economic Impact: Opens new regional economic development opportunities
Freight Movement: Significantly improved cargo transportation efficiency
Read also: Washington releases funding for Mobile River Bridge Project Alabama
