Closures will take place in phases beginning Monday, June 8

COVINGTON, Ky. (June 5, 2026) – Interstate 71/75 ramp closures and detours in Covington are needed to safely advance construction on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, which will add interstate lanes, better access, a new companion bridge and convert the existing bridge for local travel to improve safety and increase regional highway capacity.

Temporary closures and detours will now begin on Monday, June 8, and will take place in multiple phases.

On Monday, June 8, the following closures are expected to take place:

• I-71/75 northbound off-ramp to 12th Street/MLK Jr. Blvd. (0.0 - 0.28 mile points): this closure will remain in place through Summer 2027.
  • Detour: Traffic will use the I-71/75 northbound 5th Street exit ramp, turn left (north) onto Philadelphia Street, then left onto 4th Street driving west to the I-71/75 southbound ramp to Pike Street. Turn left on to Pike Street, then right on to Simon Kenton Way, then left on to MLK Blvd.
• I-71/75 southbound on-ramp from 12th Street/MLK Jr. Blvd. (0.1 - 0.3 mile points): this closure will remain in place through October 2026.
  • Detour: Traffic will use Pike St/Dixie Highway (U.S. 25) to Kyles Lane (KY 1072), to I-71/75 southbound.

The schedule for the following traffic changes has been adjusted to begin on or after Monday, June 15

• Bullock Avenue from Pike Street to the on-ramp for I-71/75 southbound at 12th Street will be closed. This closure will remain in place through October 2026.
• 12th Street between Simon Kenton Way and Bullock Avenue will be closed. This closure will remain in place through substantial project completion expected in 2033.
• Simon Kenton Way will be converted to two-way traffic from 12th Street to Pike Street. 
• A new traffic signal will be installed at Pike Street and Hermes Avenue.

The I-71/75 southbound off-ramp to Fifth Street (KY 8) will remain open while W. Third Street in Covington is blocked to thru traffic. Once W. Third Street reopens, the southbound W. Fifth Street off-ramp, as well as Fifth Street from Crescent Avenue to the I-71/75 northbound exit off-ramp west of Philadelphia Street (6.5 - 6.67 mile points) will close. An updated timeline for the reopening of Covington's W. Third Street and closure of the I-71/75 southbound off-ramp to W. Fifth Street will be provided at a later date.

KYTC will provide further updates ahead of the closures to inform all road users via the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project website.

Project schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.