Controlling Board approves transfer of $4.1 billion, including $2.87B for Brent Spence bridge project

The Ohio Controlling Board on no objection approved a $4.1 billion transfer that includes $2.87 billion designated for the Brent Spence Bridge corridor project, an Ohio Department of Transportation official said. The board approved the item by unanimous consent after members asked for clarification on phases and funding sources.

The request covers movement of prior fiscal-year appropriations into the current fiscal year to advance multiple phases of the corridor project. “The $4,100,000,000 request today, dollars 2,870,000,000.00, is for the transfer or designated for the Brent Spence Bridge corridor project,” Greg Vergamani, ODOT legislative affairs, told the board.

Why it matters: ODOT described the Brent Spence corridor as the largest project in the agency’s history. Vergamani said the project will encompass an eight-mile stretch of Interstate 75 with three miles in Ohio and five miles in Kentucky and noted that design work was roughly 60% complete. “This project is the largest project in ODOT's history,” he said. He added that the plan calls for a new companion bridge for commerce traffic while local traffic will continue to use the existing Brent Spence Bridge.

Details and timeline: ODOT said early work is under way and will continue through 2025 and into 2026, focused on utility relocation, demolition and other preparatory work. “As part of the 60% design, we will develop a proposed price and schedule,” Vergamani said. Once ODOT completes that price-and-schedule review, the agency will return to the Controlling Board before seeking moves for major construction. Construction on the bridge is expected to begin in 2026, the agency said.

Scope and economic note: ODOT officials emphasized the corridor’s economic importance, saying it carries a large volume of commerce across borders. Vergamani stated, “We estimate that each day $1,000,000,000 worth of commerce goes across that corridor, both in Ohio and Kentucky.”

Board action: The board approved the item with no objections. Members who questioned the request — including Senator Ingram — pressed ODOT staff for clarification about the phases, the source of transferred dollars, and why some dollars had been moved from other projects. ODOT said some dollars are annual appropriation authority transfers and noted that the $1.2 billion annual transfer is lower than transfers in prior years.

Next steps: ODOT will complete the 60% design, develop a price and schedule, and return to the Controlling Board before major construction moves. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.