Bridge closure could finally bring leaders together on a fix

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray provided Thursday a public update on the progress of an emergency project to repair and reopen the fire-damaged Brent Spence Bridge between Covington and Cincinnati, Ohio.

The bridge, which carries Interstate Highways 71 and 75 across the Ohio River, was closed to traffic in the wake of a crash early Wednesday morning involving two commercial motor vehicles that sparked an intense fire.

Crews worked through the night, Wednesday into Thursday, to clear the bridge of debris and allow access to a corps of about 20 inspectors and engineers.

“Everyone recognizes the importance of the Brent Spence Bridge and the entire I-71 and I-75 corridor. We are committed fully committed to reopening this bridge as quickly as we can, provided it is fully safe for everyone that would cross it,” the Governor said. “I want to emphasize our need for patience and also planning for your personal and business disruption that’s going to be occurring for at least the next several weeks. We need a little patience as well until we can give you an official timeline.”

The damage from Wednesday’s fiery crash to the I-75 bridge from Kentucky into Ohio in Covington is going to cause transportation headaches for days to come.

Beshear said the closure could be the final straw that forces local, state and federal leaders to agree on solutions to what has been a growing problem for years.

Presidents Obama and Trump both promised help for the transportation bottleneck. But the only thing that happened were more accidents and traffic tie ups. Disagreements among local officials on both sides of the bridge have been part of the problem.

“I hope this creates an additional impetus for the communities. We talk about the politics of it but it comes down to the communities coming together for us to go forward,” Beshear said.

Kentucky has asked for emergency federal assistance and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has promised help

Secretary Gray spent Thursday at the bridge and offered this assessment of damage and the challenge ahead.

“We are taking vigorous steps with the most talented engineers in order to assess the damage and get the bridge reopened to traffic,” Secretary Gray said. “But we know under fully the best case, we have repairs that will take weeks to execute. So, it is important that our businesses, our commercial traffic and residents prepare for this.”

Gov. Beshear and Secretary Gray gave the following updates, as of 2:30 p.m. EST:

• The recovery project is moving on multiple tracks at once: While inspectors examine the damage and collect samples for materials testing, engineers are designing specific repairs in real time.
• While inspections are underway, KYTC is securing the vendors, supplies and contractors that will be needed regardless of the design specifics of the repair project.
• The Ohio River, which the U.S. Coast Guard closed to commercial and recreational boat traffic for safety reasons, has been reopened.
• KYTC is working with officials on both the Ohio and Kentucky sides of the river to reopen the historic Roebling Bridge, upriver from the Brent Spence, to passenger traffic. Covington police closed the bridge to motor vehicles Wednesday night after large commercial trucks were seen going onto the bridge in defiance of its 11-ton weight limit and posted warning signs. The pedestrian walkway is open to foot traffic.

Photos of work being performed today on the bridge can be found here, here and here.

Further updates can be found at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinets webpage, here.