COVINGTON, KY - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) today announced that crews successfully completed the preliminary work that was planned for Thursday night and released the weekend schedule that should allow crews to complete the initial set-up for Phase 1 of the routine maintenance project to clean and paint the Brent Spence Bridge.

Current lane and ramp closures now in place:

• The two westernmost lanes on both the north and southbound decks of the bridge are CLOSED. (If you are traveling northbound, the two east/right lanes are open; if you are traveling southbound, the two east/left lanes are open.) This travel pattern will remain in place throughout Phase 1 of the maintenance project.  
• The following ramps are CLOSED and will remain closed throughout the duration of the maintenance project: 
• The on-ramp to I-71/75 northbound from Fourth St. in Covington  
• The on-ramp to I-71 southbound from Fort Washington Way in Downtown Cincinnati
• The on-ramp to I-71 southbound from Third St. in Downtown Cincinnati 

The I-71 southbound detour has been set, with two lanes now exiting to I-471. Earlier this week, crews successfully restriped the ramp from I-71 southbound to I-471 to allow additional capacity on the ramp for traffic detouring from I-71 southbound to I-471. 

Additional traffic impacts planned for Friday, March 5 – Monday, March 8, weather permitting:

• At 11 p.m., Friday night, traffic on I-71/75 north and southbound will be reduced to a single lane across the Brent Spence Bridge.
• On the northbound deck, only the far right (easternmost) lane will be open.
• On the southbound deck, only the far left (easternmost) lane will be open.

The two easternmost lanes on both decks will reopen to traffic by 4 a.m., Saturday morning.

• At 11 p.m., Saturday night, traffic on I-71/75 northbound will be reduced to a single lane. Only the far right (easternmost) lane will be open across the Brent Spence Bridge. Two right/east lanes of travel will reopen to traffic by 4 a.m., Sunday morning. (The two easternmost lanes of travel on the southbound deck will remain open; the overnight single lane of travel is on the northbound deck only.)
• At 11 p.m., Sunday night, traffic on I-71/75 northbound will be reduced to a single lane. Only the far right (easternmost) lane will be open across the Brent Spence Bridge. Two right/east lanes of travel will reopen to traffic by 4 a.m., Monday morning. (The two easternmost lanes of travel on the southbound deck will remain open; the overnight single lane of travel is on the northbound deck only.)

By 4 a.m., Monday morning, the initial set-up for the routine maintenance project is expected to be completed and the Phase 1 traffic pattern will be in place for approximately one month.

Crews are setting up containment and other equipment that will support the first phase of work on the bridge.

Drivers are encouraged to plan their drive, and when possible, use alternate routes to get around the bridge.

Project status and related traffic information will be provided on the project website – BrentSpenceBridgeInfo.org – as well as project social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter. In addition, drivers can consult various travel advisory services, including WAZE and OHGO, and should pay particular attention to the digital signage around the region, which monitors traffic information and provides travel times to various destinations.

For Kentucky’s latest traffic and travel information, visit GoKy or navigate traffic by downloading the free WAZE app.  You can get Northern Kentucky road construction updates on District 6 Road Report.  Follow KYTC District 6 on our Facebook page at KYTC District 6 or on our Twitter page at KYTC District 6.

About the Brent Spence Bridge

The Brent Spence Bridge is a major thoroughfare for both local and national traffic, connecting two states that are critical to the movement of people, goods, and services. The bridge carries I-71 and I-75 traffic over the Ohio River and has four lanes of traffic on each of the upper and lower decks. The bridge was designed to carry 80-100,000 vehicles per day; it currently carries twice that volume. The bridge is expected to remain in service for many years to come.