After decades of planning, the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project is advancing into heavy construction as crews prepare to break ground on a new companion bridge over the Ohio River.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and transportation officials from Kentucky and Ohio said in a joint press release March 16 that early construction activities are already under way with major field operations expected to ramp up later this spring and early summer.

"The work is set to begin on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project," Beshear said in the release. "This project will deliver safer travel, create good-paying construction jobs, boost national commerce and ease congestion."

Early Work Under Way On Both Sides of River

Construction will begin with the new companion bridge and roughly 1 mi. of highway approach work in both Ohio and Kentucky, officials said. The sequencing is designed to allow Interstate 71 and Interstate 75 traffic to shift to the new structure as quickly as possible, setting the stage for later rehabilitation of the existing Brent Spence Bridge.

Early site work includes utility relocations, building demolitions and tree clearing throughout the project footprint. Crews also are establishing staging areas to support large-scale river and bridge construction operations.

"This project has been discussed for decades, and we are now at the point where plans are becoming reality," said Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn. "Together we are moving forward."

Marine Equipment, Cranes Central to Bridge Construction

Later in 2026, the Walsh Kokosing design-build team will mobilize barges and heavy cranes on the Ohio River to begin foundation and pylon construction for the new bridge, according to the press release. The companion span will be built adjacent to the existing bridge and will ultimately carry both north- and southbound interstate traffic.

Officials said the bridge-first approach provides the fastest path to safety improvements and congestion relief while minimizing long-term traffic disruption.

Ramp Reconstruction, Urban Work

On the Ohio side, contractors will rebuild ramps and bridges along I 75 from Second Street to Ninth Street. Temporary ramp alignments and staged work zones will be installed to maintain access into and out of downtown Cincinnati.

Work also includes demolition and reconstruction of a 200 ft. portion of Longworth Hall to accommodate the new bridge alignment along with upgrades to the remaining historic structure.

In Kentucky, crews will reconfigure ramps serving Covington and reconstruct sewer and water lines along 3rd Street. The project includes separating stormwater from the combined sewer system, requiring extensive underground utility coordination alongside roadway work.

Tree clearing and a full summer closure of the Riverfront Commons Trail are part of the initial construction phase.

Longworth Hall Work Under Way

Work is under way on the demolition and reconstruction of a portion of Longworth Hall as part of the alignment for the new Brent Spence companion bridge, officials said.

A 200 ft. section at the east end of the building near the I 71/I 75 interchange is being removed to accommodate the new span, which will be constructed immediately west of the existing bridge. Officials said the segment being demolished is primarily a series of additions made during the 1960s, not the original structure.

According to ODOT, crews are salvaging as many original bricks as possible during demolition. The bricks will be reused to construct a new exterior wall designed to match the building's original east façade.

The remaining portion of Longworth Hall, constructed in 1904 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will receive a series of upgrades. Planned work includes brick cleaning, mortar repair and replacement, selective brick replacement and window improvements intended to preserve the structure for decades.

$4.05B Contract Reflects Heavy Civil Scope

Construction of the companion bridge and initial corridor work carries a value of $4.05 billion, a figure verified by two independent estimators, officials said. Including earlier design, engineering and demolition work, the total contract amount is $4.39 billion.

Officials said costs reflect the scale of heavy civil construction and increases in materials and labor in recent years. Kentucky's share of construction totals $1.7 billion with each state covering its own roadway work and sharing the bridge cost. The project will proceed without tolls.

Workforce to Peak at 1,000

The corridor project is expected to generate approximately six million construction hours and employ more than 700 skilled tradespeople with peak employment reaching up to 1,000 workers. Starting wages are projected at about $30 per hour.

"This project is not only delivering safer travel and a stronger economy but also good-paying jobs," Beshear said.

Long-Term Schedule

Pending weather and construction conditions, officials expect the new companion bridge to open to traffic in 2031 with approach work substantially complete by 2033. Traffic will then shift to the new structure, allowing crews to begin rehabilitation of the existing Brent Spence Bridge.

More than $1 billion in freight moves through the corridor daily, making it one of the most critical interstate freight crossings in the nation.

"This is a historic year for Northern Kentucky and southwest Ohio," said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray. "We are moving from planning to construction on a once-in-a-generation project."

For more information, visit brentspencebridgecorridor.com. CEG