Improving Mobility and Strengthening Regional Connectivity in the US Midwest

The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor (BSBC) is one of the most ambitious transportation initiatives in the United States — an eight-mile reconstruction and expansion of Interstates 71 and 75 connecting Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. Originally built in 1963 to handle 80,000 daily crossings, the existing bridge now supports nearly double that volume, creating congestion and traffic delays. The BSBC project will deliver a modern transportation corridor that separates local and through traffic, reduces congestion and improves overall safety for commuters and freight.

Jacobs is a key designer as part of the Walsh Kokosing Joint Venture Design-Build team, for this progressive design-build program. Jacobs is responsible for the design of the Ohio Interchange segment — a complex, one-mile stretch that includes more than 30 bridges and 1.4 million square feet of bridge deck.

Jacobs’ scope also includes serving as the independent companion bridge engineer, performing checks on a long-span river crossing that will provide critical additional capacity and redundancy for this national transportation corridor.

Jacobs’ segment design in Ohio includes: 

• Reconstruction and widening of I-75 within the project corridor 

• Replacement of four city street overhead bridges over I-75 

• Redesign of interchange ramps to reduce left-hand exits 

• Reconstruction of Gest Street and creation of a new northbound street grid system 

• Integration of a collector-distributor road network to streamline local and interstate traffic 

• Innovative design that reclaims over ten acres of green space for future community development 

This forward-thinking design not only improves mobility but also strengthens urban connections — linking neighborhoods previously divided by highway infrastructure.

As of July 2025, interim design, encompassing 82 design packages is complete. Final design is underway, with more than 100 design packages advancing over the next year and a half, with construction anticipated to begin in spring 2026.

Through modern engineering and community-focused design, the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project is redefining how people and goods move through the U.S. Midwest. The reconstructed corridor will reduce congestion and strengthen regional connectivity, improving safety and mobility for both local commuters and interstate travelers. In Cincinnati, new urban design elements will reconnect the city’s east and west sides, creating a more cohesive urban fabric.

The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor will stand as a model for sustainable, connected infrastructure that delivers long-term community and regional benefits.