Brent Spence Bridge

Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray will meet with Mitch Landrieu Wednesday in the nation's capital. At the top of his list of projects is the Brent Spence companion bridge.

The $2 billion is only 60% of what the multi-state project — including a companion bridge and road improvements — would cost.

In a release issued Monday — the day the ramps were supposed to close — the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said the Pike Street entrance ramp to I-71/75 and the exit ramp from northbound I-71/75 to Fifth Street in Covington will remain open for the time being. A new closure date is expected later this week.

The governors of Kentucky and Ohio signed a memorandum of understanding Monday stating their commitment to work together to make the $2.8 billion companion bridge a reality. The money is part of the bipartisan federal infrastructure bill. Plans do not include tolls, making it the first time a viable plan for expansion doesn't include them.

While in Newport Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear also talked about the future of the Brent Spence companion bridge project.

We now know how much money is being awarded to Ohio and Kentucky in the initial round of federal bridge funding from the infrastructure bill.

Gov. Beshear says his administration will provide more information on the Omicron coronavirus variant as it comes in. He also addressed the economic progress Kentucky has made this year in light of the pandemic.

Sen. Mitch McConnell joked this was the first time in a quarter century where he came to Northern Kentucky and it appeared there could be real movement on the Brent Spence Bridge project.

The end is in sight: Southbound lanes reopen Monday and the reopening date for northbound lanes will be announced soon.

Beshear warns that hospitals in the commonwealth are expected to have more COVID patients by the end of the week than at any time during the pandemic.