COVINGTON, KY – Motorists planning to use the Brent Spence Bridge this summer need to be aware of major construction that will impact travel time across the bridge.
Back-up traffic and delay are anticipated.
The north-bound ramp on Fourth Street in Covington will be closed.
Monday, June 19, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) announced that routine maintenance will take place on the Brent Spent Bridge beginning Friday, June 23, at 9 p.m., weather permitting.
Significant impacts to Covington traffic patterns on the bridge and on routes adjacent to and near the bridge are expected for approximately two months.
KYTC is managing the project, which is part of an ongoing program to maintain and improve the condition of the regional transportation system.
KYTC emphasizes the importance for motorists to plan their drives, know their lanes, drive safely and to frequently check www.brentspence2017.org for up-to-date notifications and information.
Maintenance work will take place in three coordinated phases, with two lanes on each deck closed at a time, beginning with the two easternmost lanes, moving across to the two middles lanes and ending with work in the two westernmost lanes.
Each phase will take approximately 15 to 20 days, weather permitting. Some temporary overnight lane closures after this two-month period will continue for another three months.
Beginning on June 23, at 9 p.m., traffic will be reduced to one lane for a period of time over the weekend as traffic barriers are put into place. Barrier placement will start on the southbound (upper) deck, then, crews will move to the northbound (lower) deck. Two lanes will be open in both directions and the traffic pattern for the first phase of work will be in place no later than Monday morning rush hour.
In addition to the lane closures on the bridge, there also will be several ramp closures affecting access to the bridge. The following ramps will be closed at 9 p.m., on Friday, June 23, for approximately two months.
Ohio ramps include:
- The ramp to I-71 South from Fort Washington Way
- The ramp to I-71 South from Third Street
Kentucky ramps include:
- The ramp from Fourth Street in Covington to I-71/I-75 North
- The ramp from I-71/I-75 South to Erlanger/KY 236
Crews will replace the concrete surface on the bridge, upgrade the lighting and drainage systems, repair steelwork and complete other general maintenance tasks.
In order to complete maintenance work on ramps that provide access to and from the bridge, additional closures will be scheduled on a short-term basis over weekends. Up-to-date information will be posted on www.brentspence2017.org as these closures are scheduled. Weather permitting, the first temporary closures are anticipated for Friday, June 30 at 9 p.m. and would last approximately two days.
In Ohio, these temporary closures for the weekend of June 30 would include:
- The ramp from I-75 North to US 50 West
- The ramp from I-75 North to Fifth Street
- The ramp from US 50 East to I-75 South
KYTC emphasizes the importance for motorists to plan their drives, know their lanes and drive safely throughout this two month period.
KYTC officials encourage the public to become informed about the impacts that maintenance work will have on traffic by visiting www.brentspence2017.org to learn more about the project schedule and other project information.
Chief District Engineer for KYTC in Covington Bob Yeager stated, “Before getting on the road, drivers should plan their route and when possible use alternate routes to get around the bridge.”
Traffic information will be provided on project social media channels. In addition, drivers can consult various travel advisory services, including WAZE and OHGO, and should pay particular attention to the digital signage around the region, which monitors traffic information and provides travel times to various destinations.
To view maps of maintenance work, detour routes and for more information, please visit: www.brentspence2017.org.