NKY Chamber president and CEO Brent Cooper was traveling on business when he stopped to talk to LINK nky Tuesday about his organization’s top state budget requests this legislative session. At the top of the infrastructure list? Funding to complete the KY 536 corridor project.
“It’s identified as the Chamber’s top infrastructure priority” following funding of the Brent Spence companion bridge project, Cooper told LINK.
Widening (and extending) the east-west route spanning seven sections, from US 42 in Boone County through Kenton County to the AA Highway in Campbell County, will create the “workforce connection” the Chamber wants to see in the region, he said. But the process has been slow: just two sections – from US 42 to US 25 east of I-75 in Kenton County and from KY 177 to US 27 in Campbell County – have been completed to date.
The NKY Chamber would like to see the remaining sections built as soon as possible. But first, funding for those projects has to be authorized by the Kentucky General Assembly.
Cooper said the Chamber hopes to possibly see some movement on that front before lawmakers adjourn this legislative session, ending no later than April 15.
Other top budget asks from NKY this legislative session include funding for the Covington Central Riverfront project, a new 4th Street Bridge, improvements to the I-275/75 Erlanger interchange, and a $25 million NKU online expansion and enhancement project. LINK takes a look at all five.
KY 536 (Asking +/-$40 million)
The Kentucky House has proposed $10 million to construct the section of KY 536 from KY 1303 to Williamswood Drive in Kenton County in its two-year state road construction plan for 2024-2026. The plan also includes $3.76 million for construction and utility work on the section starting at Williamswood and ending at KY 17.
Proposed funding in excess of $25 million is scattered throughout the four “out years” of the six-year road plan, which the House also approved last month.
However, the House is only one part of the funding equation. Final appropriations must be agreed to by the Senate. The Senate hasn’t yet taken up the proposal, but is expected to soon.
Depending on negotiations between the two chambers, the final appropriations may be more, the same, or less than the House has proposed.
For now, construction on the KY 1303 section is expected to be complete in 2027, state officials said, with construction on the Williamswood to KY 17 possibly starting in 2026.
Two more sections of KY 536 now in the design phase – KY 17 to KY 177, and US 27 to the AA Highway – could also advance in late-session negotiations between the House and Senate.
Cooper told LINK the Chamber is continuing to work for the best regional outcome.
“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,” he said.
Covington Central Riverfront Project (Asking $11.5 million)
Funding for the Covington Central Riverfront project on the 23-acre former IRS building site was nowhere to be found in the House proposed budget approved under a different budget bill (House Bill 6) in early February. But Cooper says he is encouraged about the mixed-use development’s chances after talking with NKY lawmakers.
“I’ve heard it’s likely to go in,” he told LINK. “That project is massive for Covington and Northern Kentucky as a whole.”
New space for the region’s growing health science, IT and finance sector will be available at the site, Cooper said, as will specific levels of housing, retail and more.
“The investment by the state will translate into, according to Covington’s numbers, $90 million in revenue for the state. So it’s a really good investment,” he said.
The next step is infrastructure work. Covington is expected to break ground on the public infrastructure portion of the project sometime this year.
4th Street Bridge over Licking River (Asking $100 million)
Replacement of the nearly 88-year-old KY 8 bridge – known regionally as the 4th Street Bridge – has been in the works for at least 20 years, Cooper told LINK. The reason? Connectivity to regional economic development draws like Newport on the Levee, Ovation, Covington Central Riverfront development and more.
“When you look at big investments …the 4th Street Bridge is elevated to a major priority. Quality of life and connectivity are both in play,” said Cooper.
The four-lane bridge will have two 12-foot shared-use walk and cycling paths on each side, according to the final design released by the state this year. Nearby is the Riverfront Commons trail that takes walkers, joggers and cyclists through the river cities.
Overall, the 4th Street Bridge is “right in the middle” of much of what’s happening in NKY, Cooper said.
Right now there is $34 million proposed in the House proposed two-year road plan for the project: $30 million in 2026 and $3.9 million in 2025. According to that plan, “project costs are still being refined.” The Senate will also have a say in funding for the project.
I-275/I-75 Interchange at Erlanger (Asking for review)
Fixing traffic slowdowns at the I-75/275 interchange at Erlanger is another Chamber priority. The project is now in its preliminary stages, with no construction funding proposed by lawmakers for the next two years. Cooper says he expects the project to become more of a priority as the $3.6 billion Brent Spence bridge project advances.
“Once the Brent Spence bridge is done and you see a lot more traffic that is going to have to be an upgraded investment, so that’s why we’re talking about it now,” Cooper told LINK.
Improving the interchange is what Cooper called a long term project that would correct a “big problem” impacting airport traffic and local everyday drivers. One issue is overuse, state transportation officials say. Another is road design.
“The Brent Spence bridge is the major domino,” said Cooper. “We have to have through traffic and we have to have it safer and quicker. Once that one goes, I think the I-75/I-275 project is going to be next.”
Speaking of the Brent Spence project: the House has proposed $360 million in federal bridge improvement grant funding and $146.6 million in state funds over the next two years to continue the project. An additional $150 million in federal transportation bonds has also been proposed by the House for 2026. Like other House budget proposals, those proposals are now before the Senate for review.
NKU online expansion and enhancements (Asking $25 million)
The NKY Chamber is also supporting Northern Kentucky University’s appeal for one-time funding to boost the university’s online course offerings. State funding for that project also depends on House and Senate negotiations this legislative session.
As LINK reported last month, the appropriation would allow NKU to respond “to the growing trend toward online education” with a local focus on cybersecurity, data science and related fields.
NKU would be able to use the funding to update technology, staffing and facilities to accommodate potential merger of “academic and professional courses,” LINK reported in February.
On Wednesday, the Senate budget committee led by NKY Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Ryland Heights) voted to approve the Senate’s proposed budget as an amendment to HB 6. The committee also amended and approved a separate bill (HB 1) to fund one-time projects with state budget surplus funds.
The NKU online project is included in the legislation approved by the Senate. So is work at the former IRS site. More information on the proposals will become available later Wednesday. Nothing is final, however, until both plans are agreed to by the House and the Senate.
McDaniel’s committee did not vote Wednesday on the two-year or six-year road plan approved by the House in February. Action on those bills is currently pending in the Senate Transportation committee.