Skip to main content

Tolls to help fund improvements to the Brent Spence Bridge

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has applauded Governors Beshear (Kentucky) and Kasich (Ohio) following their announcement that they plan to use tolls to pay for at least part of the US$2.63 billion Brent Spence Bridge replacement. Brent Spence Bridge is a double deck, cantilevered truss bridge that carries Interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River between Covington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally designed to carry 80,000 vehicles per day, approximately 172,0
January 29, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
RSSThe International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (63 IBTTA) has applauded Governors Beshear (Kentucky) and Kasich (Ohio) following their announcement that they plan to use tolls to pay for at least part of the US$2.63 billion Brent Spence Bridge replacement.

Brent Spence Bridge is a double deck, cantilevered truss bridge that carries Interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River between Covington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally designed to carry 80,000 vehicles per day, approximately 172,000 vehicles now cross the bridge daily.

Transportation officials have deemed the span structurally safe but functionally obsolete and a replacement and rehabilitation project has been planned since 2000.

IBTTA executive director and CEO Patrick D. Jones said "Tolling is one of the most effective, time-tested tools in the transportation funding toolbox. With this decision, it is clear that Kentucky and Ohio recognize the importance of using tolling to build a transportation system that paves the way for better jobs, better wages and a better life for Americans.

“As a gateway to these two states, the Brent Spence Bridge is a critical link to a growing economy. Originally built to handle 80,000 vehicles a day, the bridge now is used by more than 172,000 vehicles daily. Businesses and lawmakers in these two states understand the importance of using all the tools at their disposal to keep the Brent Spence Bridge safe and reliable, and to expand their transportation infrastructure.

"As today's announcement illustrates, states are leading the way in providing efficient solutions to satisfy their own transportation needs. IBTTA asks Congress to build on Ohio’s and Kentucky’s progress today to finance these two projects, and provide states with greater flexibility to meet their individual transportation funding needs—including the right to toll existing Interstate highways for the purpose of reconstruction. And we urge Congress to fund a long-term Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill this year.”

Related Content

  • January 13, 2015
    IBTTA names new president
    A Miami transportation executive, Javier Rodriguez, executive director of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX), has been named 2015 president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s (IBTTA). As a transportation leader, Rodriguez is poised to lead IBTTA during this challenging time. Under Rodriguez's leadership, MDX converted its expressways to an all-electronic system. Before joining MDX in 2007, Rodriguez spent 16 years with the Florida Department of Transportation, including
  • March 21, 2014
    IBTTA launches Twitter chat
    The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has launched a series of monthly Twitter chats, #TranspoChat, that will focus on a range of transportation issues, including tolling, funding and investment. The first of these chats begins on Tuesday 25 March 25 at 3:00PM EDT with an hour of discussion, debate, and learning moderated by Patrick Jones, IBTTA’s executive director and CEO, and featuring special guest, Lloyd Brown, communications director with the American Association of Sta
  • June 20, 2014
    IBTTA 2014 Toll Excellence Award Winners announced
    The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has announced its winners of the 2014 Toll Excellence Award competition that recognises excellence, innovation and achievement in the tolling industry. Winning agencies and projects include:
  • February 10, 2016
    Emerging transportation leaders meet at IBTTA 2016 Leadership Academy
    To provide emerging transportation leaders with leadership training geared specifically to the toll road industry, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has convened its 2016 Leadership Academy, 1 to 12 February at the Washington Marriott Georgetown in Washington, DC. Selected through a competitive application process, the 36 global participants will participate in this intense, one-week course taught by internationally recognised toll industry leaders, business partners, mana