After years of arguing over how to fund replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge, the state of Kentucky is considering committing to a $1.2 billion to the project. A new report lists the bridge project as one of the top priorities for the 2020 Kentucky Highway Spending Plan.
Brent Spence Bridge replacement received the second highest score out of 1100 projects across all of Kentucky. The scores were compiled as part of SHIFT, Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet describes SHIFT as, "a formula-based process that uses objective data on safety, congestion, asset management, economic growth and benefit-cost ratios to create a more balanced, data-driven, transparent approach to prioritizing the Commonwealth’s transportation funding."
In addition to the Brent Spence project, two others in Northern Kentucky made the top ten list. SHIFT recommends $1.6 billion in funding for a major widening of I-471 from U-S 27 to the Ohio State line and $300 million dollars for safety improvements in the area of 275 and 75 in Boone County.