Optimism about a funding formula for a new Brent Spence bridge may be reaching its highest point ever.For the first time, there are indications a replacement bridge could be funded without controversial tolls, an issue that has stalled the major infrastructure project in the past.Seven years ago, when the idea was to start construction in 2015 and have a new bridge open by 2020, no one was saying it could happen without tolls. Now in the summer of 2021, the political environment on tolls seems to be shifting.You won't find the words Brent Spence in the infrastructure bill Congress is considering. But reading between the lines, it has a presence every bit as real as the aggravating congestion that is its principle daily feature.Sens. Rob Portman, a Republican, and Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, have crafted the language in a way that makes a case for more federal funding than many considered possible.Brent Cooper of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce ran down the list."Amount of vehicles, environmental impact, you go down the economic impact to the country,” Cooper said. “All of that is a consideration in this bill, which means the way I read it we could get up to 80% or more for our Brent Spence bridge."It would seem this region would enjoy a competitive advantage for the federal grants that could lead to 80% funding."I spent yesterday talking with House leadership, Senate leadership and the governor's office about exactly that," Cooper said in an interview Thursday. "About could we do it without tolling being involved or can we do it at all? Can we get the willpower to get this project done? And I, what I heard was yes, that there is the will to get it done."This raises this question about Kentucky's portion, whatever it would turn out to be.Notwithstanding that tolling could still be in the picture ultimately, there has been talk of utilizing other funding sources on an annual basis for a fixed amount of time provided the federal government would cover 80% to 90% of the costs."Is it possible it might not involve tolling? Yeah, I think it is possible," Cooper answered to his own question. "But it's still going to require a big, loud voice from all of us saying we need this."This is why the Northern Kentucky Chamber is hyper-active right now urging Senate and House members to pass the bill and watch the bridge with its Olympic-sized history of hurdles go for the gold.
Optimism about a funding formula for a new Brent Spence bridge may be reaching its highest point ever.
For the first time, there are indications a replacement bridge could be funded without controversial tolls, an issue that has stalled the major infrastructure project in the past.
Seven years ago, when the idea was to start construction in 2015 and have a new bridge open by 2020, no one was saying it could happen without tolls.
Now in the summer of 2021, the political environment on tolls seems to be shifting.
You won't find the words Brent Spence in the infrastructure bill Congress is considering. But reading between the lines, it has a presence every bit as real as the aggravating congestion that is its principle daily feature.
Sens. Rob Portman, a Republican, and Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, have crafted the language in a way that makes a case for more federal funding than many considered possible.
Brent Cooper of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce ran down the list.
"Amount of vehicles, environmental impact, you go down the economic impact to the country,” Cooper said. “All of that is a consideration in this bill, which means the way I read it we could get up to 80% or more for our Brent Spence bridge."
It would seem this region would enjoy a competitive advantage for the federal grants that could lead to 80% funding.
"I spent yesterday talking with House leadership, Senate leadership and the governor's office about exactly that," Cooper said in an interview Thursday. "About could we do it without tolling being involved or can we do it at all? Can we get the willpower to get this project done? And I, what I heard was yes, that there is the will to get it done."
This raises this question about Kentucky's portion, whatever it would turn out to be.
Notwithstanding that tolling could still be in the picture ultimately, there has been talk of utilizing other funding sources on an annual basis for a fixed amount of time provided the federal government would cover 80% to 90% of the costs.
"Is it possible it might not involve tolling? Yeah, I think it is possible," Cooper answered to his own question. "But it's still going to require a big, loud voice from all of us saying we need this."
This is why the Northern Kentucky Chamber is hyper-active right now urging Senate and House members to pass the bill and watch the bridge with its Olympic-sized history of hurdles go for the gold.
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