Part of ongoing Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project
COVINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 1, 2026) – A key Covington road will reopen as work on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project advances. Extensive utility work that has been underway for several months is expected to be completed on or after Monday, Sept. 14. Once work has been completed, crews will reopen Third Street, restoring an important east-west connection through the city.
Following the reopening, crews will move to the next portion of work, which will require a permanent closure of the I-71/75 southbound off-ramp to W. Fifth Street (KY 8). Motorists will still be able to use the southbound exit (Exit 192); however, traffic will exit only on to Crescent Avenue.
Additionally, following the reopening of Third Street on or after Monday, Sept. 14, a long-term closure of W. Fifth Street will be in place from Crescent Avenue (6.5 mile point) to the ramp from I-71/75 northbound to W. Fifth Street (6.67 mile point), a distance of 0.17 miles.
These travel changes allow crews a safe area to remove pavement, install new storm sewers, excavate and build up an embankment in the area as construction progresses on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project.
Detour signage will be in place to navigate traffic safely through the work zone. I-71/75 southbound motorists can detour by using Exit 192, then turning right on to Crescent Avenue, right onto Third Street and then right on to Philadelphia Street to W. Fifth Street.
KYTC will provide updates if the schedule for the reopening of Third Street and closing of a portion of W. Fifth Street and off-ramp changes.
About the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is one of the nation’s most significant transportation transformations, spanning eight miles of I-71/75 in Kentucky and I-75 in Ohio. Construction will begin with the new companion bridge to the Brent Spence Bridge and one mile of approach work in each state. In addition to the new bridge, the project will restripe the existing Brent Spence Bridge to carry local traffic; improve safety and reduce congestion by separating local and through travel; redesign ramp configurations throughout the corridor; and add new pedestrian and bicycle connections linking neighborhoods to jobs and transit. This once-in-a-generation investment will strengthen national freight movement, support local businesses and workforce growth, and enhance quality of life for the millions who rely on this critical corridor. For more information, visit the project website here.