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.”
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.”
