KEY POINTS
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The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project will kick off with the construction of a new companion bridge and highway improvements to ease congestion and improve safety for commuters between Kentucky and Ohio.
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The project will create approximately 1,000 construction jobs at peak, providing possible economic opportunities for workers in the region.
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The $4.05 billion project will be funded through state revenues and financing, with Kentucky and Ohio sharing costs.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that construction on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor (BSBC) Project is set to begin this spring. The project, which aims to improve safety, ease traffic congestion, and boost commerce between Kentucky and Ohio, will also create hundreds of well-paying construction jobs.
“I’m proud to announce a major milestone: The work is set to begin on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, which will deliver safer travel for our families, create good-paying construction jobs, boost national commerce, and ease congestion for those commuting between Ohio and Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear in a March 16, 2026, statement.
Project Overview and Timeline
The first phase of the $4.05 billion project will focus on constructing a new companion bridge and improving highway approaches in both states. This approach is expected to quickly deliver safety and traffic relief by redirecting Interstate 71/Interstate 75 traffic over the new bridge.
Additional highway improvements and the rehabilitation of the existing Brent Spence Bridge will follow in subsequent phases.
Pending construction schedules, the new companion bridge is expected to be completed by 2031, with approach work substantially finished by 2033. 
A rendering of the planned double-decker, cable-stay companion bridge connecting Ohio and Kentucky. The existing double-decker truss bridge connecting Covington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio, is shown in the background. Image: Ohio Dept. of Transportation
Job Creation Expectations
The infrastructure project, according to officials, is expected to generate approximately 6 million hours of work and employ over 700 skilled tradespeople, with the workforce potentially reaching 1,000 at peak construction.
“This project is not only delivering safer travel and a stronger economy, but also good-paying jobs for our people in Kentucky and Ohio,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’re encouraging folks to get out and apply for these jobs so they can help be a part of this national project while also bringing home a good paycheck to support their family.”
Funding and Cost Management
The project’s cost, which reflects the rising prices of construction materials and services, will be shared by Kentucky and Ohio. Kentucky’s share is $1.7 billion, funded by state revenues and financing.
Gov. Beshear emphasized that the project will be completed without tolls, fulfilling a key promise to the public.
According to the Federal Highway Administration’s National Highway Construction Cost Index (NHCCI), U.S. highway construction costs climbed sharply from 2020 through the mid‑2020s, rising by two‑thirds in just a few years.
“While national challenges are causing the cost of construction materials to rise, our teams are committed to still delivering on the promises made, while being fiscally responsible,” said Gov. Beshear.
Travel Impacts and Community Coordination
To minimize disruptions, Kentucky and Ohio have developed a traffic plan in collaboration with the Walsh Kokosing design-build team. Initial work in Kentucky will include ramp impacts in Covington, sewer and waterline reconstruction, and tree clearing. In Ohio, temporary ramps and connections will maintain access while construction zones are established.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray emphasized the teamwork and dedication that have brought the project to this pivotal moment. “As we move from planning to construction, we are creating meaningful opportunities for both contractors and individuals to participate in a once-in-a-generation project that will be built to serve the region for decades to come.”
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