On June 18, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) unveiled the design of the companion bridge planned as part of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project that will link Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
[Above image via the Ohio DOT]
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project spans eight miles of I-71/I-75 in Kentucky and I-75 in Ohio. Beyond the new companion bridge, the project includes improvements to the existing Brent Spence Bridge to carry local traffic, redesigned ramp configurations throughout the corridor, new pedestrian and bike paths connecting communities to transit and employment centers, and aesthetic improvements designed to create walkable environments.
The selected design for the project’s companion bridge is a cable-stayed independent deck bridge. Instead of using a traditional steel truss to support the bi-level bridge’s lower deck, both decks will be supported by a cabling system similar to those used in other structures such as the Abraham Lincoln Bridge in Louisville, KY, and Veterans Glass City Skyway in Toledo, OH.
Additionally, unlike other double-deck bridges, no steel work will connect the two decks, with northbound drivers crossing the Ohio River from Kentucky into Ohio using the top level of this bi-level structure.
“As we went through the designs, we wanted this bridge to be cost effective, functional, and safe, but we also wanted it to look good,” said Gov. DeWine in a statement. “This bridge will become an iconic part of the Cincinnati skyline and a landmark gateway that honors our states’ excellence in engineering, transforms the daily commute, and keeps commerce moving.”
“The new companion bridge will be a game-changer for commuting families and it’ll revolutionize a crucial economic corridor,” added Gov. Beshear in a separate statement. “This is a project that has been dreamed of for years and that many said would never happen. But we are getting it done by working together – and we’re doing it without tolls.”
The design team, managed by the Ohio Department of Transportation and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, evaluated multiple concepts against key visual and aesthetic criteria, including how well they fit the surroundings, their visual connection to the existing bridge and their potential to become a recognizable regional landmark.
Ultimately, cost, constructability, and schedule were the deciding factors in the selection of the bridge type and – compared to the other options considered – the chosen design is lower in cost and easier to build, the two agencies said.
“This is more than just a bridge — it’s a long-overdue investment in the future of our region,” said Ohio DOT Director Pamela Boratyn.
“For decades, communities have waited for a safer, more efficient crossing that not only eases traffic and improves safety but also strengthens one of our most critical freight corridors,” she explained. “This new bridge will unlock economic opportunities, support regional growth, and better connect people and commerce for generations to come.”
“This companion bridge reflects the values of the communities it connects – practical, forward-looking, and built to last,” added KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “With the bridge design selected, our expert teams continue to work hard behind the scenes on activities to help us march toward construction.”
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