Northern Kentucky’s core counties of Boone, Campbell, and Kenton scored $1.019 billion – with a b – in projects in the two-year state road plan approved by the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly in March.
The 294-page plan (House Bill 266) was passed by state lawmakers and delivered to Gov. Andy Beshear for his signature on March 28. It’s not yet law, but it will take effect immediately if signed by the governor or otherwise allowed to become law in the coming days.
So, how did each county fare when it comes to state and federally-funded road projects in HB 266?
Kenton County came out on top with projects totaling $807.5 million — the majority of that budgeted for the Brent Spence companion bridge project. Boone County is slated to receive $136.3 million in projects. Campbell County stands to get $75.8 million.
LINK nky takes a look at the five top-money projects slated for NKY in the proposed plan.
Brent Spence Bridge companion project – $655 million
State lawmakers budgeted approximately $655 million in the biennial road plan for the Brent Spence Bridge companion bridge as part of the $3.6 billion project with Ohio. Funding for the project is mostly federal, with state funds in the mix.
The road plan includes $38 million in construction funding for the current fiscal year, $162 million in construction funds for fiscal year 2024, and $455 million in funds for fiscal year 2026.
The companion bridge – which will be built parallel to the current Brent Spence bridge – will handle I-71/I-75 through traffic, taking much of the load off the aging but still serviceable two-decker bridge between Covington and Cincinnati. The Brent Spence Bridge will remain open to local traffic.
Kentucky’s total share of the no-tolls project is approximately $1.6 billion, with an estimated $778 million paid by federal grant funds and $285 billion in national highway project (federal) funds.
Project engineers anticipate the companion bridge will be open by the summer of 2029.
KY 536 connector – $54.8 million
A total of $54.8 million is budgeted over the next biennium for work on the KY 536 corridor project that runs east to west through all three core NKY counties.
Funding for work in Boone and Kenton counties is included in HB 266. Only two sections of the highway – from U.S. 42 to U.S. 25 east of I-275 in Kenton County and from KY 177 to U.S. 27 in Campbell County – have been completed so far.
Here’s how the funding breaks down by county:
Boone
-$1.75 million in fiscal year 2026 for design work to reconstruct KY 536 from Camp Ernst Road to Old Union Road
-$750,000 in fiscal year 2024 for design work to modernize KY 536 and U.S. 42 through central Boone County
-$750,000 in fiscal year 2024 for design work to improve alignment and facilitate construction between KY 536 (Hathaway Road) and KY 14 (Verona Mudlick Road)
Kenton
-$3.76 million in fiscal year 2025 (utility work and construction)and $32 million in fiscal year 2026 (construction) to improve safety and congestion on KY 536 from Williamswood to KY 17
-$10 million in federal surface transportation program flex funding in fiscal year 2025 (construction) to improve safety and congestion on KY 536 from KY 1303 to Williamswood Road/Calvary Drive;
-$5.865 million in fiscal year 2025 (right of way acquisition) to improve connectivity and reduce congestion on KY 536 from KY 17 to KY 16
The KY 536 project has been in the works for over a decade. It is the top infrastructure priority of the NKY Chamber of Commerce for the 2024 legislative session, Chamber President Brent Cooper told LINK nky in March.
“We view everything through the lens of workforce and talent. KY 536 connects employees to those businesses and back at night to their families. So the quicker that project gets done, the better it is for Northern Kentucky as a whole,” Cooper said.
4th St. Bridge – $33.96 million
State lawmakers added $33.96 million to replace the 4th Street Bridge on KY 8 between Covington and Newport in Campbell County.
Those funds include $3.96 million for right-of-way acquisition and utility work in fiscal year 2025 and $30 million for construction in fiscal year 2026.
Plans to replace the 88-year-old span over the Licking River have been in the works for at least 20 years. The recent addition of big economic development projects—including Ovation and now Covington Central Riverfront—have “elevated (the project) to a major priority,” Cooper told LINK in March.
A four-lane bridge with two 12-foot shared-use walk and cycling paths on each side is proposed to replace the aging structure.
“Quality of life and connectivity are both in play,” Cooper said.
Also included in the proposed road plan for KY 8 is $3.5 million in fiscal year 2025 for design of a new I-471 southbound off ramp at KY 8, and $5.537 million in fiscal year 2026 for design and construction to improve KY 8 from mile point 15.97 to mile point 19.36.
Stevenson Road – $30 million +
More than $30 million to improve Stevenson Road in Erlanger (KY 236) is also included in the road plan, making it one of the largest NKY projects in HB 266.
Funding would be used to reconstruct Stevenson Road from Alice Street to Jacqueline Drive, with $8.63 million allocated by the state for right of way and utility work in fiscal year 2025.
A total of $22 million would be allocated for construction work in fiscal year 2026.
Sewer and waterline relocation costs would be shared by local governments, the bill says.
KY 17/I-275 interchange – $12.5 million +
Needed work on the I-275 interchange at KY 17 (Madison Pike) would get $12.5 million under HB 266. The proposal includes $10.5 million for right-of-way acquisition in fiscal year 2024 and $2 million for utility work in fiscal year 2025.
Also on tap for KY 17 under the plan? A total of $2.5 million for construction in fiscal year 2024 to convert the Scott Street/Greenup Street (KY 17) one-way couplet to two-way streets and upgrade Madison Pike in Covington.
Want to see more NKY projects proposed for funding in the two-year road plan? You will find them all right here.