Senator Blessing Announces Billions in Funding For Brent Spence Bridge Project

COLUMBUS—State Senator Louis Blessing III (R-Colerain Township) is proud to announce that the Ohio Controlling Board approved $2.89 billion to the Ohio Department of Transportation for the construction of the Brent Spence companion bridge over the Ohio River. The funds allow the Department to have additional design build contract authority for the competitive bidding process as the project will cost over $1.5 billion.

"Securing the funding to make sure this project can begin construction is a significant leap forward," said Senator Blessing. "Eliminating one of the worst bottlenecks on the nation's interstate will bring relief to millions of travelers. I look forward to seeing the positive effect this project will have on the state and the region."

The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project to build a companion bridge next to the existing thoroughfare has been awarded a $1.635 billion federal grant. The governments of Ohio and Kentucky are equally providing the additional funding needed. House Bill 388 (134th General Assembly) included a provision that instructs the Ohio Department of Transportation to request Controlling Board approval for additional contracting authority on the Brent Spence project if the amount of the design build contract exceeds $1.5 billion. The total cost of the project is $4.05 billion.

The bridge is expected to open to traffic in the fall of 2031 with final completion of the project in the summer of 2034.

###