Safety report released for Brent Spence Bridge

CINCINNATI - The replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge is years away, but transportation agencies in both Ohio and Kentucky agree that safety improvements are necessary now.

Cincinnati City Council Member Wendell Young shared details of a safety report compiled by engineers from transportation agencies in Kentucky and Ohio. He said the bridge experts looked at three years worth of traffic information including accident reports, speed, and volume.  The research, the experts say, indicates the biggest problems with the bridge include poor signage and worn down lane lines.

The safety team recommended several improvements to help drivers.

Councilmember Young, however, said, "By no stretch of the imagination are we trying to say, we've made the bridge safe. Every expert I've talked to has made it very clear, that cannot be done. At the same time, we think the things we have in mind, the things we have planned, will make the bridge safer."

The bridge pavement already has the sign tattoos, as they are called, which are interstate signs painted directly on the pavement.  Additional improvements include white striping to indicate lanes for drivers.

Federal grant money also will pay for new signs that flash warning motorists of stopped or slow traffic ahead.  Another recommendation is to add four ARTIMIS cameras onto the bridge to monitor the entire stretch of both decks of the bridge.  The new cameras also would help emergency crews responding to accidents on the bridge.

Young added, "Those of you familiar with ARTIMIS understand, it is a valuable tool. Even it is not perfect, but it's a valuable tool in helping people to be safer. So if we have those cameras and also a warning sign that tells people to watch out for stopped traffic, those things help."

Replacement work for the bridge is not slated to begin until 2015.  Funding for the estimated $2.3 billion cost is not finalized.

The safety improvements cost $140,400 and are expected to be complete by the end of 2012.

To review the complete report go to http://media2.wcpo.com/pdfs/BSBsafetyteam.pdf .