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Brent Spence Bridge News Items

[I-71] [I-75]
Governors Beshear and DeWine Submit Second Federal Funding Request for Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project
Posted: 11-May-2023 1:48PM CDT

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:

Governors Beshear and DeWine Submit Second Federal Funding Request for Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project
Additional funding will support bridge and roadway improvements that will grow the economy and invest in local communities
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug.10, 2022) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that a second federal funding application was submitted jointly by the two states to support bridge and roadway improvements along the eight-mile Brent Spence Bridge Corridor from the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio to Dixie Highway in Kentucky.
The current funding request is through the Bridge Investment Program, which follows the May funding request through the Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant Program. Ohio and Kentucky articulated in both applications that a total of $1.66 billion in federal grant funding is needed regardless of which discretionary grant program awards funds to the project. The states are applying to multiple grant programs to give themselves the best chance of receiving maximum funding, in keeping with the pledges of Govs. DeWine and Beshear to pursue every available federal dollar.

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[I-71] [I-75]
Location, Tolls Problems for Brent Spence Bridge Replacement
Posted: 12-Feb-2009 7:33AM CST

The Associated Press has a brief story about how the questions of where and how to pay for a replacement for the Brent Spence Bridge still remain to be answered: Associated Press: Tolls, location problems in bridge planning (Feb. 9, 2009) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Bridge Replacement to be a Signature Bridge
Posted: 30-Oct-2005 11:44PM CST

One percent of the budget to build a replacement for the Brent Spence Bridge will be used to improve the bridge’s aesthetics: Kentucky Post: Bridge will be one of a kind (Oct. 7, 2005) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Goal: Get bridge right; Much study underpins planning for Brent Spence replacement (Oct. 17, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[I-75]
Work Planned for I-75 in Cincinnati
Posted: 1-Jul-2005 3:51AM CDT

The Cincinnati Enquirer recently published a special section covering proposed improvements to I-75 in Cincinnati: Cincinnati Enquirer: I-75: The Big Fix [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Parsons Brinckerhoff Awarded $18 Million Contract to Perform Brent Spence Bridge Study
Posted: 30-Apr-2005 5:55AM CDT

The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have awarded the engineering firm of Parsons Brinckerhoff an $18 million contract to perform a study on how to best replace the Brent Spence Bridge: Cincinnati Enquirer: Engineering firm gets $18M to design new Brent Spence (April 22, 2005) [Outside Link]

A group of residents is urging that any replacement bridge be constructed as a signature piece for the area: Cincinnati Post: Signature bridge urged (April 22, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Study Finds 14 Lanes Needed on Brent Spence Bridge
Posted: 9-Feb-2005 1:55AM CST

A Transportation Cabinet Engineer reported to the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce that a study of how to best upgrade or replace the Brent Spence Bridge has shown that the I-71/I-75 bridge over the Ohio River should carry seven lanes of traffic in each direction.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Proposal calls for 14-lane bridge (Feb. 8, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Bridge Structurally Sound
Posted: 10-Jan-2005 5:18PM CST

A recent report finds that the Brent Spence Bridge will remain structurally sound for at least the next 16 years so long as the bridge receives regular maintenance. This contradicts a 1999 study that found the bridge’s structural integrity would fail within 15 years.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Interstate 71/75 span ruled sound (Jan. 9, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Details on Kentucky-Ohio Bridge Compact
Posted: 7-Dec-2004 1:03AM CST

The recently announced compact between Kentucky and Ohio specifies that Ohio will contribute 54.5 percent of the expected $18 million cost of a study to determine how to best replace the Brent Spence Bridge. Kentucky will contribute the remaining 45.5 percent.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Ohio and Kentucky Partner on Brent Spence Bridge Project (Dec. 2, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Kentucky-Ohio Bridge Compact to Aid Brent Spence Bridge Replacement Efforts, Timeline Extended to 2010
Posted: 5-Dec-2004 8:13PM CST

A new cooperative agreement between Kentucky and Ohio is expected to help the process to replace the Brent Spence Bridge: Cincinnati Enquirer: Ky., Ohio have bridge compact (Dec. 1, 2004) [Outside Link], Covington Kentucky Post: Ohio to help bridge project (Dec. 1, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: States unveil bridge deal (Dec. 3, 2004) [Outside Link]

A timeline showing proposed dates for steps towards the replacement of the bridge has moved construction of the bridge to 2010. The original 2003 hope was to have a new bridge open to traffic by 2009: Cincinnati Post: Bridge timeline revised to 2010 (Dec. 3, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Update
Posted: 6-Sep-2004 9:01PM CDT

A member of the congressional committee debating the next federal transportation plan has suggested that area officials only ask only for the money they need for the next six years of planning to replace the Brent Spence Bridge and not the entire amount of money needed to replace the structure that carries I-71 and I-75 over the Ohio River: Cincinnati Enquirer: Brent Spence, 'an invitation to disaster,' may get funds (Aug. 27, 2004) [Outside Link]

Officials conducting the study of how to best replace the bridge have determined that the five current preliminary options are all worthy of additional study: Kentucky Post: Bridge plans offer smoother traffic flow (Sept. 3, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Bridge Notes
Posted: 20-Aug-2004 5:33AM CDT
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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Update
Posted: 12-Jul-2004 12:17AM CDT

U.S. Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio) will escort U.S. Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Emil Frankel and local officials on a tour of the Brent Spence Bridge this Monday: Cincinnati Post: Voinovich aids bridge project (July 10, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Post: Voinovich, U.S. official to tour Brent Spence (July 8, 2004) [Outside Link]

David Jones, the new chief highway engineer at the Department of Highways District 6 office, says the Brent Spence Bridge project will not be ignored: Cincinnati Enquirer: New leader says Brent Spence won't be ignored (July 10, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Bridge Study to Begin Soon
Posted: 24-Jun-2004 1:31AM CDT

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will soon seek bids for a preliminary environmental study concerning the replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge: Cincinnati Enquirer: State to seek bridge study (June 10, 2004) [Outside Link]

In other news, due to lack of funding, the Brent Spence Bridge replacement project was not included in the Cincinnati-area long range transportation plan: Cincinnati Enquirer: Long-range transit plan passes, minus 2 biggies (June 11, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Update
Posted: 23-Jun-2004 8:01AM CDT

Martin T. Whitmer Jr., deputy chief of staff to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, has acknowledged the need for a replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge; however, he reiterated President Bush’s commitment to holding the line on transportation spending: Cincinnati Enquirer: Need for new I-75 span acknowledged (June 6, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Post: Feds Backing Bridge Project (June 6, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Bridge Funding Engrossed in Budget Battle
Posted: 1-Jun-2004 6:51AM CDT

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) says that funding for a study on how to replace or rehabilitate the Brent Spence Bridge is caught up in in-fighting over the federal transportation spending bill. The bill is currently in conference where conflicts between the House and Senate versions are resolved. In addition to resolving the differences between the bills, congress must also attempt to find a bill that pleases the president who has said he will veto any bill costing more than $256 billion.

Additionally, the governors of Kentucky and Ohio recently met. Both pledged support for the bridge replacement.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Governors promote region (May 27, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky Post: Leaders pledge to work together (May 27, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge funding gets tangled (May 28, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Senator says funding for northern Kentucky bridge uncertain (May 28, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky Post: 'Family fight' hurting Brent Spence effort (May 28, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Covington bridge project slowed by rift over budget (May 29, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Supporters of Brent Spence Bridge Replacement See Hope in D.C.
Posted: 24-May-2004 5:39PM CDT

Supporters of replacing the Brent Spence Bridge find comfort in the fact that senators from Kentucky and Ohio were appointed to a commission to resolve differences between the house and senate versions of a federal highway bill: Kentucky Post: Bridge on D.C. inside track (May 22, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Senators named highway conferees (May 22, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
News Notes
Posted: 18-May-2004 3:38AM CDT

Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky leaders continue to lobby for the replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge: Kentucky Post: Bridge replacement touted as national priority (April 22, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Plea made for new I-75 bridge (April 23, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge plan calls for $15M (April 29, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Voinovich wants $15M for bridge (April 30, 2004) [Outside Link]

No state budget was passed, so there is no state road plan: Franklin Favorite: Area legislators predict state will have a budget (April 22, 2004) [Outside Link], Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: No budget means no road plan (April 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

Jim Reis recognizes the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for its work in securing money to replace the Shortway Bridge: Kentucky Post: A century of boosting business (April 26, 2004) [Outside Link]

Meetings on I-71 widening in Jefferson County bring a variety of opinions: Courier-Journal: Meetings on I-71 plans draw strong opinions (April 28, 2004) [Outside Link]

The Governor has signed a bill to expand the authority of the Buffalo Trace covered bridge authority: Maysville Ledger Independent: Denham sponsored bills signed by governor (April 28, 2004) [Outside Link] Public meetings must now be held before the state does any work to the area’s covered bridges.

A project to widen US 231 in Indiana from the Natcher Bridge to I-64 has begun: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Project to 4-lane U.S. 231 begins (April 29, 2004) [Outside Link] The first five mile segment should be complete in 2 years.

P rospect residents are worried about an intersection on US 42: Oldham Era: Prospect residents seek help with U.S. 42 intersection (April 30, 2004) [Outside Link]

The Transportation Cabinet held a public meeting to discuss a new I-65 connector in northern Warren County: Bowling Green Daily News: Road options for transpark shown (April 30, 2004) [Outside Link]

The Transportation Cabinet was recognized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for its work in protecting the Eggbert’s Sunflower: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Protects Endangered Eggert's Sunflower (May 3, 2004) [Outside Link]

Repairs were made to I-65 near mile marker 30 to correct a drainage problem: Bowling Green Daily News: Dangerous I-65 spot seeing changes (May 6, 2004) [Outside Link], Bowling Green Daily News: Speedy repairs on interstate are appreciated (May 8, 2004) [Outside Link]

The new US 23 over the Ohio River at South Shore is running “woefully behind:” Ashland Daily Independent: ODOT - Bridge project 'woefully behind' (May 13, 2004) [Outside Link] The new U.S. Grant Bridge is scheduled to open in 2005.

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[The Ohio River]
Federal Highway Bill Delayed
Posted: 21-Apr-2004 5:04AM CDT

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a transportation project authorization bill containing a number of Kentucky projects. Including:

The Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project

  • $7 million for continuing the Brent Spence Bridge replacement study
  • I-65 connector route in Warren County
  • Pennyrile Parkway extension in Christian County
  • The Heartland Parkway
  • I-66 northern bypass of Somerset

The Senate has passed a similar bill. Differences between the two bills must now be reconciled and passed by both houses before going before the president for his approval or veto.

More information: Courier-Journal: Bill with bridges money held up (Apr. 1, 2004) [Outside Link] , Business First of Louisville: House passes bill with funding for bridges project (Mar. 29, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Post: $7M for bridge a drop in bucket (Apr. 3, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky New Era: $8 million approved for parkway extension (Apr. 3, 2004) [Outside Link], Central Kentucky News-Journal: Parkway is closer to reality (Apr. 4, 2004) [Outside Link]

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that greater Cincinnati area projects are fairing poorly in the bill: Cincinnati Enquirer: Local roads kicked to the curb (Apr. 2, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[The Ohio River]
Bridge Projects: Louisville vs. Cincinnati
Posted: 29-Mar-2004 12:15AM CST

The Cincinnati Enquirer compares progress towards building two new bridges at Louisville to the project to replace the Brent Spence Bridge: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge plan lags Louisville's (March 20, 2004) [Outside Link]

The Louisville plan has already cleared environmental approval—a major hurdle—and will be constructed before work starts in Northern Kentucky.

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[I-71] [I-75]
Possible Alternatives Eliminated from Brent Spence Bridge Study
Posted: 18-Mar-2004 8:41AM CST

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has eliminated a couple of alternatives from the Brent Spence Bridge replacement study. A plan to build a bridge for I-75 far to the west of downtown near the Anderson Ferry will not be studied, and a plan to build a bridge to the west of the current bridge along with a large new interchange west of downtown Cincinnati will not be studied. The latter was one of the six alternatives presented in January.

The changes were announced during a meeting of local transportation officials on Wednesday. At the same meeting, engineers presented data on why a tunnel was not a feasible alternative.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Two bridge options dropped (March 11, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Post: New bridge options trimmed to 5 (March 11, 2004) [Outside Link], (Northern) Kentucky Post: Brent Spence options narrowed to five (March 11, 2004) [Outside Link], (Northern) Kentucky Post Corrections: Truck ban cost (March 11, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Bridge Replacement Backers Find Promise in Two-Year Extension to Federal Highway Plan; Ban on Trucks Considered
Posted: 11-Mar-2004 2:06AM CST

Backers for a proposed project to replace the Brent Spence Bridge see promise in a proposed two-year extension of the federal six-year highway plan. In order to avoid long deliberations over a new six-year plan, the Congress may opt to extend the current six-year plan for two years. Lobbyists for the Brent Spence Bridge project would use the extra two years to build support for including funding for the bridge replacement in the next plan.

Additionally, a ban on trucks crossing the bridge has been considered; however, such a ban would not serve as a permanent solution as it would only cause further congestion on other bridges and highways in the area.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bill delay may aid Brent Spence (March 5, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Truck ban seen as no panacea (March 10, 2004) [Outside Link], (Northern) Kentucky Post: Bridge study: Don't ban trucks (March 10, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Bunning Reaffirms Position on Louisville and Northern Kentucky Bridges; Democratic Challenger Holds Bridge Meeting
Posted: 29-Feb-2004 9:41AM CST

U.S. Senator Jim Bunning said he may have misspoke when he said that one of the two proposed Ohio River bridges at Louisville would need to be delayed during a conference call on Thursday. He said that work on the two Louisville bridges should not be delayed. Additionally, he said that he hopes plans for the replacement of Northern Kentucky's Brent Spence Bridge are included in the federal six year highway plan.

State Sen. Daniel Mongiardo, a Hazard democrat who hopes to unseat Sen. Bunning, held a meeting to discuss the Brent Spence Bridge replacement project on Thursday. Mongiardo said that he wanted to "get a local feel for what the public's understanding is of the problem of the bridge."

More information: Kentucky Post: Mongiardo to hold bridge discussion (Feb. 26, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Bunning clarifies stance on bridges (Feb. 27, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky Post: Mongiardo: Replace the bridge (Feb. 27, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky Post: Bunning behind two spans in Louisville (Feb. 27, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Possible Funding Source for Brent Spence Bridge Replacement Found
Posted: 26-Feb-2004 11:49PM CST

Officials with Greater Cincinnati’s main transportation planning committee say they may have found a possible source for funding to pay for rehabilitating or replacing the Brent Spence Bridge. The house version of a six-year transportation spending bill currently under consideration in the U.S. Congress includes a $20.2 billion fund for “projects of regional or national importance.” The group hopes that the Brent Spence Bridge would be considered one of these projects. The bridge was recently identified as one of the top twenty four highway bottlenecks nationwide, and forms a vital link on I-75—the nation’s second busiest north-south interstate.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Possible funding found for Brent Spence Bridge (Feb. 25, 2004) [Outside Link], (Northern) Kentucky Post: Fund could finance bridge (Feb. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[The Ohio River]
“I didn’t say that all.” Bunning Denies Saying Louisville Bridge Project Should be Delayed
Posted: 24-Feb-2004 10:36AM CST

According to an Associated Press story, U.S. Senator Jim Bunning told a Louisville civic group that one of Louisville’s new interstate bridges over the Ohio River will need to be delayed. The Associated Press reports that Sen. Bunning later told a WHAS-TV reporter, “I think it's very important that you get a bridge ... and make sure you decide where you are going to put the first one. And then, you are going to have to wait a year or two or three because we have to divert some money up into northern Kentucky to get that because ours is falling down.”

This shocked Louisville leaders. The two bridges have already been approved by the Federal Highway Administration as a single project, and the proposed state budget has allocated $118 million to continue design work for the bridges. Bunning said that the Louisville will get one bridge and then money will be used to replace the Brent Spence Bridge carrying I-71/I-75 over the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky. Bunning is from Northern Kentucky.

On Saturday, Bunning told a report from Louisville’s Courier-Journal that he never said the second bridge would be delayed and refused to give further comment.

Steve Higdon, president of Greater Louisville Inc, said that he believes Bunning was unaware that the two bridges had been approved as a single project and that as soon Bunning was made aware of this fact it would “put the entire issue to rest.”

More information: Associated Press: Bunning denies saying bridge project should be delayed for N. Kentucky bridge (Feb. 22, 2004) [Outside Link], Courier-Journal: Bunning talk on bridges a shocker (Feb. 22, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Four Kentucky Road Sites Ranked in Top 223 Highway Bottleknecks
Posted: 24-Feb-2004 10:35AM CST

Four locations across Kentucky have been identified as major highway bottlenecks by the National Highway Users Alliance.

The Brent Spence Bridge is ranked as the 24th bottleneck nationwide.

One of the interchanges between I-264 and I-64 in Jefferson County is ranked 119. These roads actually meet twice, but the report does not seem to specify which interchange this is.

The interchange between I-71/I-75 and I-275 in Kenton County ranks 150.

The I-64, I-65, and I-71 “Spaghetti Junction” interchange in Jefferson County ranked 163.

The rankings are based on a study of the amount of time drivers spend delayed at these points.

More information: National Highway Users Alliance: America's Worst Bottlenecks and the Benefits of Fixing Them [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
U.S. Congress Nears Passage of Transportation Bill
Posted: 21-Feb-2004 9:41PM CST

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said on Friday that he believes the U.S. Congress will pass a six-year transportation bill within the next few weeks; however, he has no idea if funding will be included for a replacement for the Brent Spence Bridge. He says that Kentucky’s junior senator, Jim Bunning, has taken the lead on securing funding for the bridge replacement project.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: McConnell: Transit bill near (Feb. 21, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
No Projects Cut from Six Year Road Plan, but Some Are Delayed
Posted: 20-Feb-2004 7:35AM CST
Topics: Topic listing supressed. [38 topics related to this item]

Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bailey told state legislators on Wednesday that no projects were cut from this year's version of the Six Year Highway plan; however, some projects have delayed due to the states budget problems.

The list of projects is too long to list here; however, some notable projects are listed below.

  • $118 million for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Bridges Project. Some of this money will be raised by selling bonds that would be repaid when promised federal funding is allocated for the project.
  • $78 million for reconstruction of the Owensboro bypass to the east of its current alignment. This is meant to improve access to the William H. Natcher Bridge.
  • Widening of I-64 from Louisville to Shelbyville.
  • Widening of I-65 from the Tennessee State Line to Bowling Green.
  • Widening of I-75 in Scott and Grant counties.
  • Southern extensions of both the Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway and the William H. Natcher Parwkay.

A notable absence from the list is funding for replacing the I-71/I-75 Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River; however, the project remains on the unscheduled needs list and officials claim that it is still a priority. Construction on the project is still over a decade away.

This year the transportation cabinet has split the list into projects that will receive federal funding and projects that will not receive federal funding. Projects that will be funded only by the state are expected to be delayed and will be prioritized by need.

Update (Feb. 29, 2004): More information about projects in particular areas can be found here.

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Bridge is Nation's 24th Worst Highway Bottleneck
Posted: 20-Feb-2004 7:34AM CST

A nationwide study found that the Brent Spence Bridge is the nation's 24th worst highway bottleneck: Bridge big bottleneck (Feb. 19, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
One Option for Brent Spence Bridge Replacement Would Open Land in Downtown Cincinnati for Development
Posted: 13-Feb-2004 9:41AM CST

One of the six options for replacing the Brent Spence Bridge would free land in downtown Cincinnati that is currently covered by the I-75/I-71 interchange for development. This land would be situated adjacent to the city.s new sporting venues.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Bridge option could free land for downtown projects (Feb. 10, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Why There Won't Be A Big Dig in Cincinnati
Posted: 8-Feb-2004 11:28PM CST

Columnist Dave Hofmeister of the Cincinnati Enquirer looks at why a tunnel is not among the options for replacing the Brent Spence Bridge (too expensive) and why rerouting I-71 onto I-471 wouldn't serve as a long term solution (it's already overcrowded): Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Enquirer (Feb. 7, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Washington Ricin Scare Disrupts Brent Spence Bridge Lobbying Group
Posted: 7-Feb-2004 8:57AM CST

The group lobbying for federal money to replace the Brent Spence Bridge was affected by the finding of ricin in a senate mailroom. Several meetings had to be cancelled and others were relocated,

More information: (Northern) Kentucky Post: Ricin scare alters plans (Feb. 4, 2004) [Outside Link]

In other bridge news, U.S. Representative Anne Northup of Louisville supports the bridge replacement project. Northup does not represent the region, and her support is said to demonstrate how such a project could help the entire state.

More information: (Northern) Kentucky Post: Rep. Northup supports replacement of bridge (Feb. 5, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Inadequacies Blamed in Fatal Accident
Posted: 7-Feb-2004 8:57AM CST

Police say the Brent Spence Bridge's lack of breakdown lanes contributed to the death of a motorist.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge's faults help take a life (Feb. 4, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Northern Kentucky Group Lobbying for Inclusion of Brent Spence Bridge Replacement in Federal Transportation Plan
Posted: 4-Feb-2004 4:25AM CST

A group lobbying on behalf of Northern Kentucky leaders is in Washington working to have money to replace the Brent Spence Bridge included in a federal transportation bill.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Delegation lobbying for bridge (Feb. 3, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky Post: Bridge funding sought (Feb. 3, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky Post: A dangerous bottleneck (Feb. 3, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Brent Spence Bridge Replacement May Require Electric Substation to Move
Posted: 3-Feb-2004 1:50AM CST

Among the many things that will be impacted by the final design for a Brent Spence Bridge replacement is a Cinergy electric substation just west of the current bridge on the Cincinnati side. It would cost $300 million to move the substation.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Bridge routes have $300M question mark (Feb. 2, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Preliminary Alternatives for Brent Spence Bridge Replacement Announced
Posted: 30-Jan-2004 10:05PM CST

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has released a set of six preliminary corridors to examine during the study on how to best replace or rehabilitate the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky. All options include the construction of at least one new bridge and many would separate I-71 traffic from I-75 traffic.

The Kentucky Post has maps of each of the six corridors under review: Option 1 [Outside Link], Option 2 [Outside Link], Option 3 [Outside Link], Option 4 [Outside Link], Option 5 [Outside Link], Option 6 [Outside Link]

Completion of the bridge project and other Northern Kentucky projects could be delayed due to state budge problems. Federal aid is key to completing the bridge project.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Plans show options for Brent Spence (Jan. 30, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Brent Spence Bridge replacement (Jan. 30, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Brent Spence replacement may force firms to close (Jan. 30, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Post: Bridge project options studied (Jan. 30, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky Post: Area road work hinges on feds (Jan. 30, 2004) [Outside Link]

Jan. 31 update: More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Bridge backers race clock (Jan. 31, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Borgman cartoon [Outside Link] - Political cartoonist proposes his own options for replacing the Brent Spence Bridge

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[I-71] [I-75]
Federal Funding Announced for Northern Kentucky Road Projects
Posted: 29-Jan-2004 6:19PM CST

The 2004 federal omnibus spending bill which was approved by the senate last week includes $2 million to continue funding for a study on how to replace the aging I-71/I-75 Brent Spence Bridge across the Ohio River and $1.5 million for a connector route between the AA Highway and I-275.

President Bush must still sign the bill.

More information: Cincinnati Post: Feds OK $2M for Brent Spence (Jan. 27, 2004) [Outside Link], Kentucky Post: $2M targeted to Brent Spence work (Jan. 27, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Greater Cincinnati Promotes Need for New Bridge
Posted: 16-Jan-2004 8:13AM CST

Cincinnati area leaders are attempting to promote the benefits of building a new bridge across the Ohio River to replace the aging Brent Spence Bridge. A replacement is expected to cost $750 million; however, local leaders feel the benefits of such a bridge would far out way the costs.

More information: Kentucky Post: Worth $750 million? (Jan. 15, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
"Coalition for a New Bridge" Formed to Lobby for Brent Spence Bridge Replacement
Posted: 15-Nov-2003 6:09PM CST

A coalition, co-chaired by the senior vice-president of Toyota North America, has been formed to lobby for money needed to study and construct a replacement for the aging Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River. When the bridge opened in 1963, it was designed to carry 80,000 vehicles per day. Today it carries 149,000 vehicles per day.

More information: Kentucky Post: Coalition to lobby for a new bridge (Nov. 14, 2003) [Outside Link]

Update 17-Nov-2003: More information: Associated Press: Group urges replacing I-75 bridge (Nov. 16, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
Northern Kentucky Leaders Seek to Replace I-71/I-75 Brent Spence Bridge
Posted: 1-Oct-2003 2:12AM CDT

Leaders seek to replace the aging Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River. The eight-lane bridge which was built in 1963 and last remodeled in 1985, is one of 15 bridges nationwide described by the FHWA as functionally obsolete. A study is currently underway to determine how to best replace the bridge.

More information: Associated Press: N. Kentuckians seek new bridge to Cincinnati (Sept. 23, 2003) [Outside Link], Cincinnati.com: Special Report: Collision Course (Sept. 22, 2003) [Outside Link] (an analysis of the Brent Spence Bridge and proposals to replace it)

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[I-71] [I-75]
More Federal Money Could be Allocated to Study Brent Spence Bridge Replacement
Posted: 27-Jul-2003 1:22AM CDT

The House Appropriations Committee approved a transportation spending bill that allocated $2.5 million to study replacing the I-71/I-75 Brent Spent Bridge over the Ohio River. The bill must still be passed by the full house, the Senate, and signed by the President before becoming law.

In February, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet launched a $2 million study to determine how to best replace the aging bridge.

More information: Kentucky Post: Bridge may get $2.5M more (July 26, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[The Ohio River]
Kentucky Post's Jim Reis Looks At the History of the Bridges over the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky
Posted: 18-Jul-2003 6:21PM CDT

The Kentucky Post recently posted two columns from Jim Reis looking at the history of the bridges over the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky:

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[I-71] [I-75]
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Leaders Seek Federal Aid for Brent Spence Bridge Replacement
Posted: 18-Jul-2003 5:24AM CDT

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported in this January 16, 2003 article [Outside Link] that leaders from the Cincinnati area planned to seek quick federal assistance in replacing the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River. The bridge is route of I-71 and I-75 over the Ohio River from Kentucky into Ohio.

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[I-71] [I-75]
Future of I-71/I-75 Bridge over Ohio River in Question
Posted: 31-Dec-2002 8:02AM CST

The Brent Spence Bridge which carries I-71 and I-75 over the Ohio River is projected to only have about 15 more years of useful life. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is beginning a 30 month study to determine how to extend the life of the bridge or how to best replace it.

More information: Enquirer: Obsolete and over capacity, Brent Spence Bridge is nearly out of time (Dec. 27, 2002) [Outside Link]

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[I-71] [I-75]
I-71/I-75 Bridge Replacement Study May Start Early
Posted: 1-Aug-2001 9:57PM CDT

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports in this July 27, 2001 article [Outside Link] that the U.S. Senate may approve a bill authorizing $2 million to begin a study on replacing Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River in 2002. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet had been planning to start the study in 2006.

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