Two Bridges Across the Ohio River in Cincinnati Closed on the Same Day

Two of the transportation connections between Ohio and Kentucky in the Cincinnati metropolitan area were closed on the same day, leaving one side of the Ohio River cut off from the other.

2 minute read

November 13, 2020, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Cincinnati and Covington

The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge is visible in the foreground of this photo of the Ohio River where it separates Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky. | Smart Pro Imaging / Shutterstock

The Brent Spence Bridge, an important artery for car and truck traffic between Ohio and Kentucky, closed on Wednesday after an overnight truck fire, according to Jake Ryle.

The Brent Spence Bridge is indicative of the massive challenges facing the nation's infrastructure. According to Ryle, "the bridge now carries more vehicles than it was originally designed to carry." Moreover, "the Brent Spence has been listed as 'functionally obsolete' on the federal bridge registry since the 1990s."

The failure of the bridge has Kentucky lawmakers scrambling to make the case for more transportation funding, including a potential bump in the gas tax.

Articles by David Winter and Sam Rosenstiel detail the frustrations the closure will cause commuters in the area.

On the same day as the Brent Spence closure, the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge was also closed indefinitely "due to numerous and continued violations of the bridge’s weight limits," according to a statement from the Covington Police included in an article by Quinlan Bentley and Madeline Mitchell.

According to that article, "the Roebling, a historic bridge opened in 1867, has an 11-ton weight limit that was put in place after a 2007 inspection." All indications are that one bridge closure led to the other.

"The Cincinnati Police Department issued a warning Wednesday about the risks involved in driving a heavy vehicle -- such as a large delivery truck or semitrailer -- across the historic John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge while the Brent Spence Bridge is closed for an unknown amount of time," according to another article by Pat LeFluer.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 in WCPO

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from a distance with freeway and trees in foreground.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods

A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

7 hours ago - USC Dornsife

Aerial view of Claifornia aqueduct with green orchard on one side.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy

California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

April 3 - Turlock Journal

Close-up of older woman's hands resting on white modern heating radiator mounted on wall indoors.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program

The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.

April 3 - The New York Times