Construction for part of the Brent Spence project begins this summer in Covington, and residents can expect to see some changes as the work progresses.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Mayor Ron Washington told reporters at the Tuesday meeting of the Board of Commissioners. “However, we do know there’s going to be pain for our community. There, unfortunately, will be delays, and we’re working with KYTC and our Ohio partners to minimize that delay as much as possible.”
Covington’s Director of Special Projects, Liz Wetzel, updated the board on Tuesday, giving a brief presentation about what people could expect.
Although the actual replacement bridge isn’t expected to be completed until 2032, other portions of the $3.6 billion project will begin this year.
Specifically, this summer will see the beginnings of construction for a newly aligned intersection and roundabout at 3rd Street and Crescent Avenue, a variety of storm sewer improvements and the rerouting of parts of the Riverfront Commons Trail, which the Covington Board of Commissioners heard about last month. The storm sewer improvements will entail work on the Highland Avenue retention basin as well as grading improvements for inlets above Euclid Avenue.
Demolition of two properties in the Lewisburg neighborhood is expected to be completed by Aug. 1. The demolition of the radio tower in Goebel Park, Wetzel said, has not yet been firmly established.
The Northern Kentucky Water District will also be performing a water line replacement on Highway Avenue ahead of the work on 3rd Street and Crescent Avenue. Finally, various utility and geotechnical work will occur throughout the construction area.
Local first responders will meet with project designers later this summer to plan for emergency access throughout and after the construction. An exact date for the meeting has likewise not been established.
In addition to the construction, the project will also pilot transparent noise barriers against highway traffic.
“They’re doing studies to see where these walls are most impactful,” Wetzel said.
Planning is still underway for other gateway improvements at the foot of the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, located at 4th and 5th Streets, as well as the long-term master planning process for Goebel Park.
Washington emphasized the signage at the city gateways, calling it a potential “game changer,” as it would be the first thing people saw upon entering the city.
Although Wetzel and City Manager Ken Smith pointed out that the city wouldn’t have direct control over the signage, given it was a state project, Washington still thought “it’s important that the Board of Commissioners see that. There’s three renderings that are floating around, and all of them are very, very appealing, and it’s probably good to get the elected body’s thoughts on it.”
The city is currently working on a request for proposals for a design consultant to lead public comments and administer the master planning process for the final renovations of Goebel Park.