Covington leaders stress bridge hearing


COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Leaders in northern Kentucky's largest city are stressing the importance of a public hearing this week on the design for a replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge.

That's because the current design for a bridge that would span the Ohio River connecting southern Ohio and to northern Kentucky doesn't include direct access to Covington from southbound Interstate 75.

Brent Cooper, the chairman of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, told The Kentucky Enquirer ( that the design is problematic for the city, which has hotels, gas stations and other businesses clustered near the current access ramp.

He says businesses near the river "have a legitimate concern that it's going to cost them business, and I would say it will cost them business."

The hearing as which state officials will gather public comment on the bridge design is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. on April 25 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

Pete Jordan, general manager for the Radisson in Covington, says many businesses in the area could be harmed "if we lose access to the city at a critical spot like Fifth Street."

The city is advocating for an exit at Ninth Street, saying that signs from there could direct people to the downtown and riverfront. The city says the extra cost of about $18.9 million is minuscule compared to the overall $2.4 billion cost of the project.

Other business owners worry about reduced access to Fifth Street for northbound drivers. Under the current proposal, motorists would exit at 12th Street. The city wants a ramp added that would take drivers directly to Fifth Street at an additional cost of $10.1 million.

Covington City Manager Larry Klein said Fifth Street "is where most of the northbound traffic into Covington gets off."

Although they are seeking changes to the design, officials say they support the overall project.

"We're solidly behind the Brent Spence project because it's so important from an economic-development standpoint for us, for Northern Kentucky, for the state and beyond -- it's a very important project," said Covington Community Development Director Jackson Kinney. "But for our ability to continue the revitalization of the (Covington) central core, and especially our riverfront, it depends on having the right kind of access from the interstate."


Information from: The Kentucky Enquirer,