The governors of the states of Kentucky and Ohio announced that Walsh Kokosing has been chosen for the design-build contract, which centres on a new companion bridge that will be built alongside the existing Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River. The team is made up of Walsh Construction and Kokosing, with Aecom and Jacobs for design.
“This is one of the largest highway construction projects ever undertaken in the US,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet secretary Jim Gray. “We are confident that this experienced team, with their solid track record of completing projects approaching this size, possesses the talent, skills and know-how to deliver this complex bridge and highway system.”
As prime contractor, the Walsh Kokosing team will continue to recruit companies and workers to participate in the project.
The existing double-deck, cantilevered truss bridge was completed in 1963. It remains structurally sound but currently carries approximately twice the volume of traffic for which it was designed. The new companion structure will be built immediately to its west and is designed to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and safety, and maintain key regional and national transportation corridors.
In total, Walsh Kokosing’s design-build contract will address about 9.7km of the interstate highways that make up the 12.9km-long, US$3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project. Approximately US$3.1 billion will be spent on the design-build portion of the project.
The remaining US$500 million is allocated for improvements to a 3.2km stretch of the I-75 corridor, including a new interchange for the Western Hills viaduct.
The project’s request for proposals (RFP) had been issued in February (link opens in new tab).
