One of America’s worst freight bottlenecks is finally getting relief. The $4.4 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor will add a companion bridge alongside the existing Brent Spence span carrying Interstates 71 and 75 over the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky. Heavy construction began in spring 2026.
Project Scope
The Walsh Kokosing joint venture, combining Walsh Group, Kokosing, and AECOM, is prime contractor on the eight-mile corridor. The plan keeps the double-decker Brent Spence bridge for local traffic and routes through-traffic onto a new companion span, untangling the merge that’s plagued the crossing for decades. Ohio and Kentucky split the cost 50/50, backed by federal grants, with construction priced near $4.05 billion. Crews will spend 2026 on bridge approaches, including barge-and-crane work for foundations and pylons. The companion bridge is expected to open in 2031.
Why It Matters
The Brent Spence carries far more traffic than it was designed for, and it’s a national freight chokepoint where I-71 and I-75 converge. Fixing it has been a political talking point for years. The corridor is also a marquee test of the federal infrastructure push, needing an estimated six million work hours from nearly 700 tradespeople. For the region, it’s a once-in-a-generation job.
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Project Team & Details
| Owner / Client | Ohio DOT / Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |
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| General Contractor | Walsh Kokosing JV (Walsh, Kokosing, AECOM) |
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| Status | Under Construction |
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| Delivery Method | Design-Build |
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| Funding Source | Mixed |
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