Work begins today on a Texas Turnaround as part of a state-funded plan to reduce accidents by changing how traffic merges from Covington onto Northbound I-71 and I-75 on the Brent Spence Bridge.
But don’t worry — the 4th Street ramp isn’t expected to close until the project nears completion.
The project aims to improve safety and access for traffic heading northbound along the interstates into Ohio. Once the project is completed, drivers will have more time to move into their intended lane.
Covington Mayor Joe Meyer said he supports the project and the traffic congestion relief it aims to provide.
“The Texas Turnaround is a practical, feasible, and cost-effective way to increase safety in a tremendous way by giving drivers more time and space to change lanes,” Meyer said. “We’re thrilled that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has worked to make this a reality even as the larger discussion continues about how to increase capacity of the Brent Spence and upgrade the Interstates 71-75 crossings over the Ohio River.”
But what exactly is a Texas Turnaround? It’s certainly a term many of us Northern Kentuckians have never heard before.
The infrastructure project, which can also be referred to as a Texas U-Turn, will lead drivers to access Pike Street by using the existing ramp that carries traffic to I-71/75 southbound, then turn left onto a new ramp, then left again onto I-71/75 northbound. There will be no traffic signals throughout the procedure. The existing ramp from 4th Street in downtown Covington to I-71/75 northbound.
Besides implementing this new traffic movement, the project will also include restriping the travel lanes on I-71/75 northbound by providing an additional travel lane from Pike Street to the Brent Spence Bridge, reconstructing the bridge that carries traffic from I-71/75 northbound to 5th to accommodate the new traffic pattern, upgrading local traffic signals for local traffic at Pike Street, and the installation of various new safety features including crosswalks and new sidewalks for pedestrians in the Pike Street area.
“Currently, a northbound driver who enters I-71/75 northbound from the 4th St. on-ramp in Covington and wants to continue north to I-75 in Ohio has to cross multiple lanes of travel – on the bridge,” Bob Yeager, chief district engineer of KYTC’s District 6 office. “The new travel pattern will provide more drivers with the time to safely change lanes.”
In total, the project will cost approximately $8.8 million. If construction stays on schedule, the project will be completed by December. The West Chester-based Sunesis Construction Company was awarded the bid in November 2021.
Detours during construction:
Once the northbound exit to 5th Street is temporarily closed, drivers will have to exit at a point further south, 12th Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard, head east, and then turn north on Main Street.
Drivers on Pike Street wanting to head north on the interstate will be directed to southbound I-71/75, the Kyles Lane exit, and then the northbound entrance ramp. KYTC officials previously met with emergency and Public Works officials from Covington and surrounding agencies to discuss any last-minute concerns.
What to expect Wednesday:
Construction crews will begin to set up their work area today. The right lane of the lamp from I-71/75 southbound to Pike St. will be closed. One lane of travel will be remain open to the ramps at all times. This travel pattern will be in place for approximately three months.
The 4th Street ramp to I-71/75 north won’t close right away — it will likely remain open until the project is close to completion. But the closure of the Pike Street ramp and the 5th Street ramp onto I-71/75 north will be announced in the coming weeks.
Meyer said he doesn’t think the construction will majorly disrupt businesses or life in Covington.
“We’re thrilled that KYTC has worked to make this a reality even as the larger discussion continues about how to increase the capacity of the crossings over the Ohio River without jeopardizing Covington’s streets and business community,” Meyer said.
On March 3, Meyer spoke at the Radisson Hotel about the increasing reality of a new bridge replacing the Brent Spence. Meyer said he is happy there won’t be tolls, but that he is worried about how the construction will affect the city.
“Everybody is saying, the bridge is funded, it’ll be built and we’ll be driving across it in a few months. Well, currently, the schedule for construction is seven and a half years. That’s after funding is in place, after they complete the environmental work and the updates,” Meyer said. “We’re talking 10 years, before we drive our cars across that bridge. The transportation cabinet hopes to shorten it to five years. Five years of massive traffic jams, diversion, the closure of the 4th and 5th street interchanges for up to 3 years, noise pollution, air pollution, massive inconvenience and significant impact on business.”
Project information and updates can be found at drivingprogressnky.org. Motorists can get Northern Kentucky road construction updates on drivingprogressnky.org and the District 6 road report.
