Connecting Cincinnati and Covington, Ky., the Brent Spence Bridge carries a busy stretch of interstate highway across the Ohio River that is responsible for moving 4 percent of gross national product.

 

The 53-year-old structure was only designed to carry 80,000 vehicles per day; the bridge carried 150,000 vehicles per day in 2006, causing serious delays for commuters and businesses on a daily basis, with volume expected to grow even higher in 2025, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

 

In addition to overcrowding and congestion, there are mounting concerns about the safety of the bridge after chunks of concrete fell from the upper deck onto the lower deck. Statistics also show that drivers are three to five times more likely to have a wreck along the corridor.

 

Some transportation planners are calling on officials not only to rehabilitate the bridge but to construct a new one alongside it. Every year of delay in the start of construction costs the taxpayers nearly $75 million per year in inflation, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

 

President Obama visited the bridge in 2011 as part of a broader push for infrastructure investments.

 

"It's in such poor condition, it's functionally obsolete," Obama said of the bridge. "The thing is, there are bridges and roads and highways like that throughout the region."

 

 

Five infrastructure emergencies | TheHill

I've been waiting for it to fall in the river for a decade now. :lol2:

 

I also assume that's the only way it's going to get replaced, unfortunately.

It will take 10 years to complete it, so my grand kids might see it some day.

I've been waiting for it to fall in the river for a decade now. :lol2:

 

I also assume that's the only way it's going to get replaced, unfortunately.

 

Which brings a question to my mind that I would like to ask everyone.

 

If the Brent Spence bridge fell into the Ohio River would you agree to tolls if that's what it took to rebuild it?

Which brings a question to my mind that I would like to ask everyone.

 

If the Brent Spence bridge fell into the Ohio River would you agree to tolls if that's what it took to rebuild it?

 

I support tolls right now, so yes.

Which brings a question to my mind that I would like to ask everyone.

 

If the Brent Spence bridge fell into the Ohio River would you agree to tolls if that's what it took to rebuild it?

 

Seeing the national impact it would have I don't think it would require tolls. I think something would be done at the federal level but I could be wrong.

Which brings a question to my mind that I would like to ask everyone.

 

If the Brent Spence bridge fell into the Ohio River would you agree to tolls if that's what it took to rebuild it?

 

No!

I could care less about the tolls. I've used that bridge maybe a half a dozen times in the past year.

Seeing the national impact it would have I don't think it would require tolls. I think something would be done at the federal level but I could be wrong.

 

If the feds and states say there have to be tolls, would you support tolls?

I would definitely be ok with tolls. There should be a card for cheaper tolls if you live within a certain distance and higher for out of town folks using the bridge. I do not use the bridge but tolls would definitely re-route some traffic to 275 and 471 though.

Which brings a question to my mind that I would like to ask everyone.

 

If the Brent Spence bridge fell into the Ohio River would you agree to tolls if that's what it took to rebuild it?

 

Yes. I don't ever drive on it any ways, so go ahead and collect the tolls.

Tolls are living proof the government mismanaged tax revenue and doesn't understand how to prioritize spending.

Seeing the national impact it would have I don't think it would require tolls. I think something would be done at the federal level but I could be wrong.

 

National impact?

 

National impact?

 

Due to the freight traffic that travels along there.

National impact?

 

The Bridge handles traffic from I-75 & I-71, so it is very highly traveled. I forget the #'s, but I believe it is one of the most traveled stretches of highway (particularly for semis carrying goods/cargo) east of the Mississippi.