The US$3.6?billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project will add a new cable-stayed companion bridge immediately west of the existing Brent Spence Bridge to carry Interstate 71/75 traffic, while rehabilitating the original structure for local use.
The new bridge (link opens in new tab) adopts a cable-stayed typology with two independent decks, each carrying five lanes of interstate traffic. Positioned immediately west of the existing structure, the span will measure approximately 730m in total length, with a main span of around 300m over the Ohio River. Twin pylons that rise over 90m above deck level will anchor the stay cables, a configuration selected to accommodate high traffic volumes while minimising pier placements in the river.
Rendering of the Brent Spence Companion Bridge (Brent Spence Bridge Corridor)
According to Tommy Arnold, project manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation, “We together with our two teams – the contractor and Ohio, Kentucky – have dedicated more than one million hours to project development and design.” Early works have included utility relocations and demolition of the Artemis building to enable widening of I-75.
The next key challenge for the project is the removal of a section of Longworth Hall, a historic Baltimore & Ohio freight station. Around 61m of the building will be demolished to make way for the new span, with more than 50,000 bricks salvaged to reconstruct the eastern wall to its original appearance.
Major construction is scheduled for 2026, starting with temporary structures and foundation works on both riverbanks.
- Owners: Ohio Department of Transportation, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
- Contractors: Walsh Construction, Kokosing Construction (Joint Venture)
- Design consultants: AECOM (lead), Jacobs, Parsons
