Brent Spence Bridge Will Be Replaced!

The Brent Spence Bridge (far left) is going to be replaced. Ohio and Kentucky agreed to it being a toll bridge.

Often when I travel to Cincinnati and the suburbs of Northern Kentucky, I often would cross the Brent Spence Bridge. Interstate 75 starts from the Canadian border to the northern suburbs of Miami passes through Cincinnati. The Brent Spence Bridge has over 400,000 vehicles travel it daily.

Did you know that bridge shakes?

Well the federal government and state leaders have known that and they fear that day will come when it could collapse. So the bridge connecting the states of Ohio and Kentucky will be replaced. It will be built at a "later time".

There are some pretty concerned that the billion dollar project will require a little bit of change out your pocket.

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Majority Leader The Turtle Mitch (R-KY) are in favor of getting that bridge replaced. They support the toll. The only one I bet will not support it is Stallmigo Rand Paul (R-KY).

Democratic governor Steve Beshar of Kentucky and Republican governor John Kasich of Ohio both compromised on giving the Brent Spence Bridge a major overhaul. They agreed that the new bridge will be huge and it may require a toll.

Interstate 71 and 75 shares connection for at least 25 miles. From Downtown Cincinnati to Walton, Kentucky. This is the beginning of improvements from metropolitan Cincinnati to Dayton.

The Dayton Daily News reports that the Kentucky and Ohio state transportation agencies will working together to develop a plan to save money on a $2.6 billion replacement of the bridge. The agencies are expected to deliver ideas by March 30 and build a financial plan for the bridge’s future by the end of this year.

Revenues from the toll charges will be split evenly between Ohio and Kentucky, according to a statement from the governors. A 50 percent discount on toll rates will be available to frequent commuters.

The governors said Wednesday they want to develop a solution to improving the bridge soon and start construction as early as 2017. A five-year delay to construction could costs taxpayers $400 million because of inflation, according to to their analysis.

Replacement of the existing Brent Spence Bridge will double the number of highway lanes from eight to 16 and is meant to improve access to Northern Kentucky and downtown Cincinnati

The Ohio River separates the states. Kentucky begins once a southbound vehicle crosses the river.

Kentucky will contribute to a majority of the project.