Ohio and Kentucky officials recently unveiled the state-of-the-art design of the new companion bridge to be built as part of the 8-mile Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
The selected design is a cable-stayed independent deck bridge. Instead of using a traditional steel truss to support the bi-level bridge’s lower deck, both decks will be supported by a cabling system similar to those used in other modern bridges, such as the Abraham Lincoln Bridge in Louisville and Veterans Glass City Skyway in Toledo. Unlike other double-deck bridges, no steel work will connect the two decks.
Northbound drivers crossing the Ohio River from Kentucky into Ohio will use the top level of the new bi-level companion bridge, which showcases an unobstructed view of the Cincinnati skyline and the bridge’s unique design.
The design team, managed by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), evaluated multiple concepts against key visual and aesthetic criteria, including how well they fit the surroundings, their visual connection to the existing bridge and their potential to become a recognizable regional landmark. The design also underwent extensive technical review and wind testing. Ultimately, cost, constructability, and schedule were the deciding factors in the selection of the bridge type. Compared to the other options considered, this design is lower in cost and easier to build.
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is among the nation’s most significant transportation transformations, spanning eight miles of I-71/I-75 in Kentucky and I-75 in Ohio. Beyond the new companion bridge, the project includes improvements to the existing Brent Spence Bridge to carry local traffic, redesigned ramp configurations throughout the corridor, new pedestrian and bike paths connecting communities to transit and employment centers, and aesthetic improvements designed to create walkable, urban environments.
With the design selection complete and acknowledgement from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) concurring with the bridge type, the design-build team will continue to advance the project toward final engineering and construction phases. The companion bridge, along with comprehensive corridor improvements, will address one of the country’s most severe traffic bottlenecks while creating new opportunities for regional economic growth and community connectivity.
The existing Brent Spence Bridge, which has served the region since 1963, currently carries traffic volumes far exceeding its original design capacity. It will be reconfigured to three lanes on each deck with emergency shoulders on each side to improve safety and carry local traffic between Covington and Cincinnati. The new companion bridge will carry traffic on I-71 and I-75.
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