The already congested Brent Spence Bridge between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will be partially closed this summer for repairs. The project still won't fix larger problems with the bridge.
Cameron McWhirtle and Shane Shifflett report:
The Brent Spence Bridge that connects Cincinnati to northern Kentucky is often notoriously jammed with miles-long backups. Now, for two months this summer the eight-lane bridge that carries Interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River will be down to half that many lanes as it undergoes repairs.
But that's not the worst part of the story, according to the article.
This summer’s repairs on the Brent Spence cost $38 million for repaving, updating lighting and other improvements. But it won’t solve the problem that has had Kentucky and Ohio lawmakers at loggerheads for years: how to pay for a major overhaul of the double-decker span that carries as many as 180,000 vehicles a day, including an estimated $1 billion worth of freight daily, according to the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.
In addition to providing more details about the project, the article places the challenges of the Brent Spence Bridge in context of the nationwide trend of crumbling infrastructure, as evidenced by the state of the nation's bridges.
FULL STORY: Aging Infrastructure Means More Logjams at One of U.S.’s Worst Bottlenecks
Two Bridges Across the Ohio River in Cincinnati Closed on the Same Day
Two of the transportation connections between Ohio and Kentucky in the Cincinnati metropolitan area were closed on the same day, leaving one side of the Ohio River cut off from the other.
Major Waterfront Improvements Completing Construction South of Cincinnati
Developer Southbank Partners is putting the finishing touches on the second phase of the Riverfront Commons in Covington, Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky to Redesign Bus Service
Ridership on the TANK bus service has sunk in recent years. Hope for a turnaround ride on a redesign.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)