Kentucky Statewide Highway and Bridge CEI

The Brent Spence Bridge carries I-71 and I-75 over the Ohio River, connecting Northern Kentucky to Cincinnati, Ohio. When two commercial vehicles collided on the bridge’s lower deck, a resulting fire required emergency response to clear the collision and assess the safety of the structure. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) enlisted Lochner’s construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services through our on-call contract to assist with traffic control, on-site engineering, and construction inspection.

Lochner’s inspection team responded quickly to the emergency needs, finding and committing a structural engineer and four inspectors over a weekend. In partnership with KYTC and project team members, Lochner’s staff worked around the clock to oversee replacement of structural support beams, reconstruction of concrete on the upper and lower decks, and repair of the bridge’s electrical and drainage systems. With Lochner’s diligent effort, the bridge was reopened in less than six weeks, ahead of schedule, and in time for the holidays, restoring connectivity and mobility for the traveling public along this critical corridor.