Brent Spence Bridge Corridor October 31, 2024 eNewsletter

Shawn Tyson loves “being outside” and working with his hands. That’s why he attended the Building Futures apprenticeship readiness program conducted by the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio.

The program is a 12-week class that prepares workers for major regional projects such as the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, enabling participants to obtain living-wage jobs in the building and construction trades.

To learn more about Building Futures, visit https://www.ulgso.org/buildingfutures.

In addition to the Ohio Department of Transportation, program sponsors include the Cincinnati Building and Construction Trades Council, Hamilton County Office of County Commissioners, AFL-CIO and TradesFutures.

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & OUTREACH TEAM

HITS THE ROAD

The Brent Spence Diversity, Inclusion, & Outreach (DIO) Team has been spreading the word about the Brent Spence Bridge Project and the opportunities for businesses, vendors, suppliers, and more.

In October, we took part in the City of Cincinnati’s 3rd Annual Business Enterprise Expo where more than 300 business-owners had a chance to meet with representatives from the Walsh Kokosing Design-Build Team. We had a pop-up event at 6 ‘N the Mornin’ in East Walnut Hills, a meet and greet at the Midwest Council of Carpenters Annual Open House, and participated in the Urban League’s Building Futures Program.

DIO Team members Penny Monday and Tommie Lewis at 6 ‘N the Mornin’ pop-up event in October

We’re also hitting the road to spread the word beyond the Cincinnati area about opportunities on the project. We took a road trip to Louisville for the 8th Annual West Louisville Economic Mobility Summit and met with the Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board. In November, we’ll travel to Dayton to reach firms in that region.

Want to learn more? The DIO team hosts one-on-one meetings with interested firms every Tuesday morning and open house events on the first Thursday of each month at Longworth Hall. Outreach events in the community, like the pop-up event at 6 ‘N the Mornin’, are held on the third Thursday of each month. Learn more about these and other events here.

BUILDING THE FUTURE: ORIGINAL IRONWORKERS REFLECT ON THE PAST

As we focus on building the future Brent Spence companion bridge, some ironworkers who helped build the Brent Spence Bridge back in 1960 gathered recently at the Ironworkers Local 44 Training Center to share some of the memories that still resonate with them today.

“That was one of my first projects. I loved it,” said Joe Kyle. “I was born to be an ironworker.” He also noted how the bridge was “the biggest thing to hit Cincinnati and Covington in those days,” emphasizing the pride that comes with being part of such a significant project.

Bill Basham worked on the Brent Spence Bridge very early in his nearly 45-year career and remembers it as “one of the best times in my life.” Watch this short video to hear directly from these impressive gentlemen.

Today, as we work on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, we continue this legacy with another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ironworkers and skilled laborers to leave their mark on the region. Learn more about career opportunities associated with the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project on the project website. 

THROWBACK: BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

PROGRESS IN 1963

This month's archival photo, dated January 9, 1963, offers a northwest view of Pier No. 1 and the Cincinnati approach piers of the soon-to-be-completed Brent Spence Bridge. Captured from the Ohio shore, this black-and-white image showcases the progress of a structure that would become vital to our region's infrastructure.

At the time this image was captured by Brand Studios, Bert Combs was serving as Governor of Kentucky and Michael V. DiSalle was completing his term as Governor of Ohio.

Stay connected with our newsletter and social media platforms for more historical images that highlight the various phases of the Brent Spence Bridge's construction and its enduring impact on our area and the nation's economy. 

Stretching from the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio to Dixie Highway in Kentucky, the estimated $3.6 billion project will be built without tolls and transform an eight-mile portion of the I-71/75 interstate corridor, including a companion bridge immediately to the west of the existing bridge. More information about the project is available at BrentSpenceBridgeCorridor.com.