Brent Spence Bridge Corridor June 28, 2024 eNewsletter

The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor (BSBC) Project Diversity and Inclusion Outreach (DIO) Committee received updates on the overall status of the project, contract awards to date and future opportunities open to disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) at its June 10 meeting.

The Bi-State Management Team, Walsh Kokosing Design-Build Team (WKDBT), and both the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Ohio Department of Transportation addressed the group of approximately 50 community and business leaders who provide input and counsel on the project’s outreach efforts. 

As of June 10, nearly $6 million in contracts have been awarded to DBE firms by the WKDBT, including more than $4 million in design and design review work. Other work awarded to DBEs included geotechnical drilling, demolition, asbestos mitigation, and catering contracts.

In addition, Walsh Kokosing introduced Marvin Jackson, who has been serving as the DIO manager for the team since March. Jackson presented WKDBT’s DIO Plan to the committee, outlining the goals of the plan and explaining the outreach strategies that will be used to meet those goals.

The next phase of the project is getting started, and several BSBC-related scope opportunities are now or will soon be open for bidding. They include:

●     Longworth Hall Renovation;

●     ARTIMIS Building Demolition;

●     Seventh Street Parking Garage Renovation;

●     Sanitary Sewer SD-1 Lining;

●     Kyles Lane Waterline Boring;

●     Wind Monitor Installation and Associated Maintenance of Traffic Items.

All bidding opportunities will be posted to the Walsh Kokosing website. Visit the website to learn more. 

VISUAL INSPECTION HELPS ENGINEERS PLAN BRIDGE REPAIRS, REHABILITATION

Viewing the Brent Spence Bridge from engineered drawings and photos doesn’t compare with seeing it up close, especially if you’re responsible for designing the repairs and rehabilitation of the structure as part of the BSBC Project.

That’s why a group of project engineers with AECOM, part of the WKDBT, conducted a visual inspection on select portions of the bridge last month to understand current conditions as part of the planning process.

Using an aerial lift and protected climbing techniques from the upper deck of the bridge, engineers took various measurements, notes, and photographs that will be used to develop detailed plans.

The Brent Spence Bridge is structurally sound and will be in use for decades to come to carry local travelers. Plans include reducing the bridge from four lanes to three and re-establishing the shoulders for emergencies. A new companion bridge will be built immediately to the west of the existing bridge.

When the project is complete, the existing bridge will accommodate local traffic between Cincinnati and Covington, while the companion bridge will carry I-71/I-75 through traffic.

This will improve access to the Covington and Cincinnati business districts while reducing traffic weaving on the approaches to the bridges.

Constructed in the 1960s, the existing Brent Spence Bridge was designed to carry approximately 80,000 vehicles a day but in recent years, the average daily volume has reached 160,000 vehicles. 

MEET THE DESIGN-BUILD TEAM, MARVIN JACKSON

This month we’re introducing another member of the WKDBT, which is managing design and construction for the BSBC project.

Early construction work on the BSBC Project will begin within the next year, which is why Marvin Jackson, DIO Manager, says the time is now to attract workers. Jackson recently led a team of Walsh Kokosing employees in conducting a career fair for area high school students. 

“There are a lot of other projects going on in the area, not just the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project,” Jackson said. “In addition, if we can reach potential workers early, then they will hopefully consider us after graduation. How great would it be to put the Brent Spence Corridor Project on your resume, right out of high school or trade school.”

A 1999 architectural engineering graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Jackson was a workforce manager for the Downtown Crossing portion of the Ohio River Bridges Project in Louisville, which was completed in 2016.

Stretching from the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio to Dixie Highway in Kentucky, the estimated $3.6 billion project will be built without tolls and transform an eight-mile portion of the I-71/75 interstate corridor, including a companion bridge immediately to the west of the existing bridge. More information about the project is available at BrentSpenceBridgeCorridor.com. A video outlining last year’s progress can be viewed here.