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The Brent Spence project is moving from years of planning into a highly visible construction phase beginning in 2026.
The Brent Spence project will soon reshape traffic patterns and river crossings in downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Years of behind-the-scenes work on the $3.6 billion Brent Spence project are about to become visible to the public.
According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, large-scale construction activities will accelerate next year as crews begin work spanning the Ohio River. The effort includes a new companion bridge and major improvements along Interstate 75.
Officials say the upcoming phase marks a turning point for one of the region’s largest infrastructure investments. The corridor carries roughly 160,000 vehicles per day, making it a critical freight and commuter route, according to ODOT.
Brent Spence project enters visible construction phase
Project leaders say much of the Brent Spence project has unfolded quietly through planning, engineering, and design. According to ODOT press secretary Matt Bruning, hundreds of workers have already logged nearly one million labor hours. Bruning said the project is now close to 60 percent designed.
That preparatory work laid the foundation for major construction starting in 2026. Once work moves into the river, drivers will begin seeing daily changes along the skyline.
The Brent Spence project includes construction of a new Brent Spence Companion Bridge between Ohio and Kentucky. It also calls for upgrades along eight miles of I-75 through downtown Cincinnati and Covington.
According to ODOT, the improvements aim to reduce congestion, improve safety, and modernize aging infrastructure. The existing Brent Spence Bridge opened in 1963 and now carries traffic volumes far beyond its original design. Transportation officials say the new companion bridge will separate local and through traffic to ease bottlenecks.
Longworth Hall changes highlight Brent Spence project impact
Some of the earliest visible signs of the Brent Spence project have already appeared near Cincinnati’s riverfront. Bengals fans may have noticed part of the Longworth Hall parking area closed for the remainder of the football season.
According to ODOT, the closure allows crews to prepare the site for construction of the new bridge approach. A 200-foot section of Longworth Hall will be demolished as part of the work.
Project leaders emphasized preservation efforts tied to the historic building. Bruning said crews plan to salvage roughly 50,000 bricks from the demolished section.
Those materials will later rebuild the eastern wall of Longworth Hall. Officials say the approach balances progress with historic preservation. The work represents a key milestone that clears space for bridge construction to advance.
Utility relocation and demolition work underway
Preparatory construction for the Brent Spence project is already active on both sides of the Ohio River. According to ODOT, crews recently demolished the former ARTIMIS building, which once supported freeway traffic management.
Utility relocation is also ongoing, including the movement of Duke Energy lines. Officials say relocating utilities is essential before major bridge foundations can be installed.
These early tasks rarely draw attention but are critical to keeping the larger project on schedule. According to ODOT, utility conflicts often cause delays on major infrastructure projects nationwide.
Addressing them now reduces the risk of costly interruptions later. Crews are coordinating closely with local governments and private utilities to minimize service disruptions.
Ohio River construction planned for 2026
The most dramatic phase of the Brent Spence project will begin next year. Project leaders say crews will start constructing pylons in the Ohio River to support the companion bridge.
According to Bruning, drivers crossing the existing Brent Spence Bridge will see that work taking shape in 2026. River-based construction marks the transition from preparation to full build-out.
The companion bridge will stand alongside the existing structure, creating separate traffic flows for local and interstate travel. According to project planners, that design reduces weaving and improves safety.
Federal transportation officials have long identified the Brent Spence corridor as a national freight bottleneck. The bridge sits on a key route linking the Midwest and Southeast.
A generational investment for the region
Transportation leaders describe the Brent Spence project as one of the largest infrastructure investments Ohio has seen in decades. According to ODOT, the scale of the project dwarfs most recent highway and bridge efforts in the state. Funding includes a mix of federal, state, and local contributions, highlighted by a major federal infrastructure grant announced in 2022.
Officials say the project will support economic growth across the Cincinnati region. The I-75 corridor plays a major role in freight movement and regional commerce.
According to federal transportation data, trucks account for a significant share of daily traffic on the bridge. Reducing congestion could improve reliability for businesses and commuters alike.
As visible construction ramps up, project leaders expect public awareness to increase. Bruning said residents will soon see how years of planning translate into physical progress. For many drivers, 2026 will mark the first clear glimpse of a long-awaited transformation along the riverfront.
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