With federal funding secured and a request for proposals issued on behalf of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor (BSBC) Project, the project team wasted no time putting boots on the ground in an effort to secure diverse and inclusive participation in this historic infrastructure investment. Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project team members held an all-day Networking Meet & Greet for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms on March 7 at the Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront in Covington to connect DBE contractors with potential bidders on the project to discuss opportunities.

Since the design process began in 2005, the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor (BSBC) Project has undergone a series of changes to minimize its impact and address public comments. As a result, project design improvements have been made throughout the corridor to benefit residents and regional travelers for decades to come. A summary of those improvements is outlined below.

The new companion bridge just west of the existing Brent Spence Bridge was originally planned to cover nearly 25 acres and span nearly 150 feet in width. Revised plans show the new bridge at almost half the size, covering approximately 14 acres and 84 feet in width.

As a result, the project’s footprint has been significantly reduced. The original plan called for the relocation of 40 residential units, including apartment buildings with multiple units, and 14 businesses in the project area. The current plan, however, indicates just four total residential units, five commercial lots and portions of two others will require relocation.

At the request of residents and city officials, pedestrian and bicycle facilities will be constructed across and parallel to I-71 and I-75 at most cross-street intersections and highway crossings, helping to reconnect western neighborhoods with downtown Cincinnati. You can see these here.

Other changes prompted by public comment include the addition of noise walls and noise/visual screening walls that exceed Kentucky and Ohio requirements. In addition, the project team has agreed to fund measures to:

The project’s original Environmental Assessment (EA) was developed in 2011 and updated in 2022 to account for changes in project impacts and regulatory updates. Currently, noise walls are recommended for parts of I-71/75 along Ft. Mitchell, Ft. Wright, and Park Hills, as well as the Covington neighborhoods of Peaselburg, Botany Hills Lewisburg, and Mainstrasse. In Ohio, noise walls are recommended along the interstate near Cincinnati’s West End neighborhood and the Queensgate Playground and Ball Field. You can find more information on those studies here.

Attractive Buffers to Reduce Intrusive Sounds 

It’s important to note that noise walls don’t just protect neighborhoods from noise pollution. They must also be visually pleasing enough to blend into the everyday scenery – and in some cases, even showcase a neighborhood’s personality, history, or creativity. For the BSBC project, some of these aesthetic decisions are up to the project’s Aesthetics Committee, and many are open to input from the neighborhoods themselves, gleaned during neighborhood meetings with project team members. Case in point – Northern Kentucky residents in Goebel Park and along Crescent Avenue raised concerns that noise walls might block the view they enjoy now. As a result, KYTC is evaluating the potential for transparent noise walls in certain locations and will continue to coordinate with the City of Covington during the project’s final design and construction to address those concerns. Other neighborhoods are considering showcasing local art, turning noise walls into murals. The project team will continue to work with neighborhoods adjacent to the project area to address concerns and get feedback on noise wall plans. 

The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project team welcomes comments and feedback from the public. To submit a question or comment, visit the project website and click on the “Contact Us” button in the upper right-hand corner.

Responses to all public comments can be viewed on the Public Involvement and Comments section of the website. This section features project exhibits, summaries of outreach activities, and summaries of responses to questions posed to the project team during meetings or via email. The document with the summary of responses from all sources is updated monthly.