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Below is news release sent out from the Ohio Department of Transportation about the Brent Spence Bridge. While the bridge is not in Warren County, many of us use it when we travel south to leave Ohio or north to re-enter Ohio.
CINCINNATI, OH -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear today announced that a new “street grid” reconnecting downtown Cincinnati to Queensgate and reduced impacts to Goebel Park in Covington are among seven major innovations to enhance the transformative $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor (BSBC) Project based on engineering evaluations and public feedback.
The recommended design refinements meet or exceed the contract objectives of improving quality, reducing costs, shortening schedule, improving safety and/or supporting local communities. More than 100 suggestions submitted to the project team from the public, key local stakeholders, and the design-build team were evaluated based on objectives.
“These thoughts and ideas will make the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor even better,” said Governor DeWine “These enhancements aren’t just about reducing congestion on an interstate, it’s about improving safety, reconnecting communities, and enhancing the lives of those who live, work, and visit the area.
“These innovations are a key part of continuing the transformational changes we’re making to boost Kentucky’s economy and ensure a higher quality of life here and beyond our borders,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “They are a testament to the collaboration, teamwork, and goals each state shares to build a better corridor while fulfilling our good neighbor pledge."
The project team improved the project in Ohio with four innovative refinements.
“As I walked the neighborhood west of downtown with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and his team last year, we discussed ways to improve the city and the need to connect neighborhoods previously divided by the interstate,” said Director Marchbanks. “Our team really rose to the occasion and is making that happen.”
“As a native Cincinnatian, I am committed to ensuring this project makes our community better. With these innovations, I firmly believe we are doing something we can be proud of for generations to come,” said BSBC Ohio Project Manager Tommy Arnold.
Three significant design improvements are planned in Northern Kentucky.
“From our earlier commitments to separate stormwater systems and pilot Kentucky's first transparent noise screens, these latest innovations are further proof we're listening to input and refining the project to make it even better,” said Secretary Gray.
“In working closely with the City of Covington, we made design refinements that reflect the requests of their residents that also integrate seamlessly into their plans for the Covington Central Riverfront development,” said BSBC Kentucky Project Manager Stacee Hans.
“With this improvement, Ninth Street will not see an influx in traffic. In addition, keeping interstate access at Pike Street will minimize the impacts on Goebel Park, both physically and visually,” Hans said.
Shortly after being named prime contractor last year, the Walsh Kokosing Design-Build Team began evaluating 117 suggested changes to the base plan for the BSBC Project. To date, 26 are recommended to be incorporated into the project’s design. Twenty-four were dismissed because they were not feasible or didn’t meet project objectives. Sixty-seven suggestions, most of which are focused on detailed design, are still under review while the design process continues.
The next step in the process will be to continue refining the project through detailed design and updating and confirming traffic and environmental studies, as needed. For a description of major innovations recommended to be incorporated into the project’s base design, visit the project page HERE.
Stretching from the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio to Dixie Highway in Kentucky,
the $3.6 billion project will be built without tolls and transform an eight-mile portion of the I-71/75 interstate corridor. It is designed to improve approximately five miles of Interstates 71 and 75 in Kentucky and three miles in Ohio. The project, which has been in development since 2005, will include the addition of a new companion bridge immediately to the west of the existing Brent Spence Bridge. The goals are to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and safety, and maintain key regional and national transportation corridors.
More information about the project is available at BrentSpenceBridgeCorridor.com. A video outlining last year’s progress can be viewed here.