Discussion on two significant bridge projects to be deliberated by the Covington Business Council
News Article: Expert Panel to Discuss Infrastructure Projects in Covington
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project and the 4th Street Bridge Replacement are set to take centre stage at the upcoming Covington Business Council Luncheon on August 21. The event will provide a unique opportunity for the community to gain insights from the project's key figures.
Stacee Hans, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's (KYTC) Project Manager for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, will be present. Hans has been instrumental in leading one of the most ambitious infrastructure initiatives in the region, aiming to modernize the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.
Elizabeth Wetzel, the Director of Special Projects & Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Covington, Kentucky, will also be in attendance. Wetzel works with regional partners to implement transformative projects in Covington, including the Brent Spence Bridge corridor, KY8 Bridge corridor, and Covington Central Riverfront development.
Cory Wilson, the Project Manager for the 4th Street Bridge Replacement at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, will share updates on the progress of this project. While specific recent updates for the 4th Street Bridge Replacement were not identified, construction-related activities such as environmental and community engagement responses are ongoing, with initial construction expected to align with the overall corridor improvements timeline, possibly starting in spring 2026.
The panelists will discuss their roles in these projects and their contributions to improving safety, reducing congestion, and strengthening connections in the region. They will also explain the infrastructure projects and answer questions from the audience.
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is currently in advanced design stages, with soil testing underway as of mid-July 2025, and major construction is expected to start in early 2026. The project features a new $3.6 billion, two-level cable-stayed companion bridge alongside the existing Brent Spence Bridge, aimed at relieving congestion and modernizing the corridor. The completion is anticipated in the early 2030s. The new bridge will have three lanes per deck with emergency shoulders, improved ramps, and added pedestrian and bike paths.
Key long-term benefits of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project include increased traffic capacity, reduced congestion and improved safety, enhanced connectivity for interstate travel, upgraded infrastructure supporting economic growth, and the addition of new pedestrian and bicycle pathways.
The project is a joint effort between Ohio and Kentucky, funded in part by a $1.636 billion federal grant, with the states responsible for the remaining cost. The companion bridge design was unveiled in July 2025, with active environmental mitigation steps such as mussel relocation underway, marking important project milestones.
The panelists have extensive experience in their respective infrastructure projects and will provide firsthand insights about the challenges, milestones, and long-term benefits of the 4th Street Bridge Replacement and the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project. This event promises to be an enlightening and engaging discussion for those interested in the future of infrastructure in the Cincinnati-Covington metropolitan area.
Sources: - WCPO: Brent Spence Bridge soil testing and project status (July 2025) [1] - Reason.org: $3.6 billion cable-stayed companion bridge plans and funding [2] - Equipment World: Detailed design and project scope [3] - CEAO news and ODOT updates on construction timeline [4],[5]
- The upcoming Covington Business Council Luncheon on August 21 will feature experts from the government and industry sectors, including Stacee Hans from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Elizabeth Wetzel from the City of Covington, Kentucky.
- These panelists are at the forefront of major infrastructure projects in northern Kentucky, with Hans managing the ambitious Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project and Wetzel championing transformative projects like the Brent Spence Bridge corridor, KY8 Bridge corridor, and Covington Central Riverfront development.
- Cory Wilson, Project Manager for the 4th Street Bridge Replacement, will also attend the event to share updates on this project, which is currently undergoing environmental and community engagement responses, with construction set to start in spring 2026.
- The discussion will focus on the role of these infrastructure projects in improving safety, reducing congestion, and strengthening connections in the region, as well as their economic implications for businesses and the community.
- The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, a joint effort between Ohio and Kentucky, boasts significant benefits such as increasing traffic capacity, improving interstate travel connectivity, and adding pedestrian and bicycle pathways, with a completion date anticipated in the early 2030s.
