$3.6B Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project Set to Transform Traffic Between Ohio and Kentucky

$3.6 Billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project Moves Toward 2026 Construction Launch

Construction of the $ Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project — a 3.6 billion megaproject reshaping traffic patterns between Cincinnati, Ohio and Northern Kentucky — is on track to begin in early 2026, according to officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).

At a Cincinnati City Council meeting, ODOT representative Tommy Arnold detailed the state-of-the-art bridge design, which will incorporate both double-decker and cable-stayed bridge engineering, two features that are uncommon in the Midwest, according to Fox 19 Now.

The project will add a new companion bridge to the west of the existing Brent Spence Bridge, which will be used primarily for local traffic. The current structure will be restriped from four lanes to three, widening the shoulders and improving overall safety and efficiency, WCPO Cincinnati reported.

Addressing Congestion in One of the Nation’s Busiest Corridors

The bridge corridor — an eight-mile stretch of Interstate 71 and Interstate 75 from the Western Hills Viaduct to Dixie Highway — has not been restriped since 1985 and is considered one of the most congested commuter routes in the country.

The new bridge will divert long-distance and through traffic onto the new span, reducing congestion for local drivers and improving travel times across the Ohio-Kentucky border.

In addition to the companion bridge, the project will also include enhanced pedestrian and bike paths on local streets crossing I-71/I-75.

Construction Timeline and Workforce Impact

While a specific groundbreaking date has not yet been set, utility relocation work is expected to finish by late 2025, paving the way for major construction in 2026, according to WCPO Cincinnati.

The bridge design phase is currently 60 percent complete. Arnold said, outlining the key phases of the project, labeling 2024 as “proof of concept,” 2025 as “project development” and 2026 as the final phase of construction and engineering, WCPO Cincinnati reported.

The massive infrastructure project is estimated to require 6 million work hours, 95 million pounds of steel, 700 estimated trade workers, over 60 subcontractor and over 220 events completed, according to the Cincinnati news outlet.

Arnold noted that residents should expect to see cranes, barges transporting materials, and temporary construction structures — particularly on the Ohio side of the river — as work progresses.

Environmental Review and Community Concerns

While community members have raised concerns about the environmental impacts of  increased traffic, the Federal Highway Administration concluded that the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project poses “no significant environmental impact.”

The project’s design incorporates sustainability practices and modern bridge engineering standards aimed at improving safety, durability, and long-term performance for all forms of travel.

Sources: WCPO Cincinnati, Fox 19 Now