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ODOT has installed two drone-in-a-box systems on the roof of Longworth Hall in Cincinnati to monitor construction of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project. Installed in March 2026, the systems can launch remotely, follow programmed flight routes and return to their docking stations to recharge. The drones will support construction monitoring, bridge inspections and traffic observations. The deployment builds on ODOT’s existing drone program as work continues on the major Ohio-Kentucky transportation project.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has installed two autonomous drone systems at Longworth Hall in Cincinnati to monitor construction of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project.
The technology will give project teams aerial views of construction progress, infrastructure conditions and traffic activity.
According to DriveOhio, ODOT’s smart mobility program, the drone-in-a-box systems were installed on the roof of Longworth Hall in March 2026. State Aviation Journal reported the deployment on October 5. The report highlighted the technology’s role in one of Ohio’s largest transportation infrastructure projects.
How Cincinnati’s drone monitoring system works
The drone-in-a-box technology allows aircraft to launch from permanent docking stations without requiring operators to be physically present at the launch site.
Operators can remotely control the drones or program them to follow predetermined flight routes. After completing a mission, the aircraft can return to their docking stations to recharge.
DriveOhio explained that the systems can provide aerial information to help construction teams plan work and inspect infrastructure. Additionally, they can monitor project progress.
The two docking stations are located on the roof of Longworth Hall, which serves as a base for personnel working on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project.
The drones also support bridge inspections and traffic monitoring. Their aerial imagery can help project personnel observe changing site conditions as construction progresses.
Why the drones matter for the Brent Spence Bridge project
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project involves constructing a new companion bridge alongside the existing Brent Spence Bridge and improving approaches to the crossing between Ohio and Kentucky.
Construction monitoring is an important part of managing a project of this scale. Aerial imagery can give engineers and construction personnel a broader view of work areas than ground-level observations alone.
The drone systems can also collect information repeatedly, allowing project teams to observe changes over time. This capability may help personnel document progress, assess site conditions and coordinate construction activities.
However, the installation does not mean the drones independently manage construction. Instead, they are monitoring tools that support the work of engineers, pilots and project personnel.
Brent Spence Bridge project: Costs and timeline
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project is a major transportation investment intended to improve travel through one of the region’s busiest interstate corridors.
The first portion of the project includes construction of a companion bridge and related improvements. The broader corridor extends beyond the bridge itself. It also encompasses additional highway and interchange work.
Project estimates cited in recent reporting put the overall cost at approximately $4.39 billion, including design and engineering. The construction contract for the initial phase has been reported at approximately $4.05 billion.
The project has also received substantial federal funding support.
The companion bridge is expected to open in 2031, while substantial completion of the approach work is anticipated in 2033, according to the project figures provided in the initial reporting. These dates remain subject to the latest official construction schedule.
The new bridge is intended to provide additional capacity across the Ohio River while improvements to the surrounding corridor address transportation needs in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.
Longworth Hall’s role in the construction project
Longworth Hall is a historic Cincinnati building constructed in 1904 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
ODOT acquired the property in 2023 through the right-of-way process for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project. The building now houses project personnel from ODOT, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Walsh Kokosing construction team.
The bridge project also requires changes to part of the building. In March 2026, WVXU reported plans to remove approximately 210 feet of Longworth Hall, primarily from a 1960s addition. This removal is to accommodate the new companion bridge.
The drone installation adds a modern transportation-monitoring function to the historic property as construction advances.
ODOT expands its drone technology program
The Longworth Hall deployment builds on ODOT’s existing use of uncrewed aircraft for transportation and infrastructure work.
DriveOhio reported that ODOT installed its first drone-in-a-box system at the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence in Springfield in 2025. At the time, the agency anticipated incorporating the technology into a major construction project the following year.
ODOT’s Ohio Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Center, established in 2013, supports the agency’s drone operations. The department uses uncrewed aircraft for activities such as bridge inspections, construction monitoring, mapping and emergency response.
The agency also uses other specialized uncrewed equipment for infrastructure inspections, including technology designed to examine underwater bridge components and culverts.
The Longworth Hall installation demonstrates how drone technology is becoming part of the tools transportation agencies use to oversee complex construction projects.
As work continues on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor, the systems will provide project personnel with another way to observe construction conditions and document progress across the site.
Also read:
Cincinnati drivers face long-term Fort Washington Way closures under Brent Spence plan
FAQs
Where are the drones located in Cincinnati?
The two drone-in-a-box systems are installed on the roof of Longworth Hall, a historic building near the Brent Spence Bridge construction site. The building also houses personnel working on the corridor project.
When is the new Brent Spence Bridge expected to open?
The new companion bridge is expected to open in 2031, with substantial completion of the approach work anticipated in 2033, based on the project timeline figures provided in the initial reporting. Readers should consult the latest official project updates for any schedule changes.
Can the Brent Spence Bridge construction drones operate autonomously?
Yes. The systems can follow preprogrammed flight routes and return to their docking stations for charging. Operators can also control the aircraft remotely, so autonomous flight capabilities do not mean that all missions operate without human oversight.
