New Brent Spence Companion Bridge
Cincinnati skyline with Ohio River bridges in foreground
The Brent Spence Bridge connects Cincinnati and Covington via Interstates 75 and 71 over the Ohio River. It is a major transportation corridor extending eight miles through multiple communities in Northern Kentucky and densely populated urban neighborhoods in Cincinnati.
A new $3.6 billion companion bridge is under design and fully funded.
The new bridge, which will allow for the separation of local and through traffic, is needed to help motorists travel safely through this growing region and to keep goods moving without costly delays along this vital national freight corridor.
The Ohio Department of Transportation and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet are leading a joint effort to build a companion bridge adjacent to the existing Brent Spence Bridge.
The City of Cincinnati is a major stakeholder and continues to work with the project team to help address City goals about the configuration north of the Ohio River.
Several major recommendations by the City include:
- An enhanced deck over I-75 along Ezzard Charles Drive
- A new local street east of I-75
- A new at-grade intersection at Gest Street where West Eighth and Ninth streets meet in Queensgate
The new local street and intersection would support the nearly 10 areas of developable land north and south of Fifth Street and improve connectivity between the West End, Queensgate and the Central Business District. The enhanced deck via Ezzard Charles Drive would double the current width of the overpass to allow for more greenspace, the ability to support a small commercial or retail development and create a distinctive entryway for the Cincinnati Museum Center and the West End neighborhood.
► Read more about the City of Cincinnati's Recommendations
The project team is considering the City's recommendations as part of its innovation period, which ends in early December 2023. During this period, the project’s construction contractor Walsh Kokosing Joint Venture will analyze all stakeholder recommendations to help determine their feasibility and associated costs.
Construction of the project is expected to start in 2024, beginning in Cincinnati with the segment between Linn and Findlay streets.
► Learn More about the projecT
► Check out this animated flyover of the project site
Interstate Access Changes in Downtown Cincinnati
- New entrance ramp to NB I-75 at 3rd Street east of Central Avenue
- New entrance ramp to NB I-75 at the intersection of 3rd Street and the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge
- New exit ramp to SB I-75 at the intersection of 3rd Street and the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge
- Existing NB I-75 entrance ramp at 4th Street to be eliminated
- Existing SB I-75 exit ramp at 5th Street to be eliminated
Editor's Note: Please check back for updates to this page. The project's Progressive Design-Build Team continues to review recent recommendations for other improvements from the public and the City of Cincinnati.
The project team met with neighborhood councils and community groups in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in the fall of 2022. Team members provided an update on the project's status, obtained feedback from those in attendance, and shared information about additional opportunities for engagement.
In Cincinnati:
- CUF: Tuesday, Nov. 15 • View Presentation
- Cincinnati Business District/The Banks: Tuesday, Nov. 29 • View Presentation
- Camp Washington: Monday, Dec. 12 • View Presentation
- Open Community Meetings: Tuesday, Dec. 13
- West End: Tuesday, Dec. 20
Please note: Formal public hearings will be conducted in 2024. Meeting details will be shared closer to the dates.
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The northern-most stretch of the Brent Spence Companion Bridge project will connect to the Western Hills Replacement bridge via a new interchange with Interstate 75. The Ohio Department of Transportation is managing the interchange and the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County are managing the replacement project.
► Learn More About the Western Hills Viaduct replace project
Attention: John Brazina
Director, Department of Transportation & Engineering
USPS Mail: 801 Plum Street, Room 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Telephone: (513) 352-2366
Email: john.brazina@cincinnati-oh.gov