Five February Public Hearings Set in Ohio, Kentucky and Online to Seek Feedback.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2024) – Another major milestone toward making the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project a reality has been marked thanks to the Federal Highway Administration’s approval of the supplemental environmental assessment for public review. The document is available online at www.PublicInput.com/bsbc, in print at the Kenton County Public Library in Covington and at the West End Branch of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. Members of the public are invited to attend and provide feedback at any of the five upcoming public hearings. 

Over the past year, the $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project being managed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has steadily progressed toward construction. Last January the states received $1.6 billion in federal grants that eliminated the need for tolls; in July the Walsh Kokosing progressive design-build team was announced; and in August public meetings were conducted. The project remains on schedule with the new companion bridge planned to open in 2029. 

The purpose of the upcoming public hearings is to present project information and allow members of the public to provide comments on the supplemental environmental assessment. During each hearing, participants may browse project exhibits, review project information, talk one-on-one with project team members, and provide a written or verbal comment about the project. 

Public Hearing Schedule

One hour after the start of each in-person meeting, a formal presentation about the project and its assessment will be made to attendees. The same information will be presented at each hearing in Ohio and Kentucky, as well as online.

Afterward, attendees will have an opportunity to make comments at a microphone, addressing the project team. All comments will be transcribed, and project team members will accept public verbal comments immediately following this portion of the meeting. Anyone wishing to speak at an in-person hearing is asked to register in advance when arriving at the hearing. Comments will be limited to two minutes. No responses to comments will be made at the meeting; the project team will respond in writing to all comments at a later date. Registration is not required to attend the meeting. 

Verbal comments can also be dictated privately to the court reporter during the open house. 

Background

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, agencies must consider the environmental impacts of their actions and decisions for projects that utilize federal funds. 

A supplemental environmental assessment was required for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project to assess updated regulatory requirements, changed site conditions, design refinements to the previously selected alternative, impact changes (mostly reductions), further environmental commitments (enhancements and mitigation), and additional NEPA reevaluation and coordination efforts that have occurred since 2012, when the project’s original environmental assessment was approved.

The supplemental environmental assessment addresses the environmental impacts of the project’s base design, not any refinements under consideration.

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About the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project

Stretching from the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio to Dixie Highway in Kentucky, the $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. A video outlining last year’s progress can be viewed here.

Media Contacts

KYTC: Naitore Djigbenou – 502-782-4829
ODOT: Matt Bruning – (614) 466-6906

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