A major step forward was made Friday for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project.Govs. Mike DeWine and Andy Beshear announced both states have received the federal environmental approval to move the project forward without tolls.The decision was issued this week following a federal environmental review. The decision allows the project to move forward with design and construction.“This is an important step forward in bringing efficiency to our nation’s supply chain. The project will address one of the worst truck bottlenecks in the nation by improving safety and travel on an interstate connection that carries more than $400 billion worth of freight every year,” DeWine said in a statement. “It’s also a big step in reducing the frustration and inconvenience drivers have experienced in the corridor for more than 20 years.”The review evaluated the social, economic and environmental effects of the project and measures to mitigate unavoidable impacts. “The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project is a testament to what can happen when we work together to get things done,” Beshear said in a statement. “The federal approval is a major milestone for us, and we’re grateful to all our partners and communities for their feedback. We look forward to completing this project, which will further boost our economic growth and create more good jobs for our families.”It also looked at public and agency comments. KYTC and ODOT have conducted 16 neighborhood meetings and two open house events since late 2022 to solicit comments on the project plan. They also held five public hearings in February. “We will continue to engage with community members and listen to their feedback to obtain the best outcome for the people who rely on the corridor,” ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said in a statement. “The Federal Highway Administration’s approval is important but so, too, is the quality of life for residents in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.”The review is required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, which states agencies must consider the environmental impacts of their actions and decisions for federally funded projects. The bridge received $1.6 billion in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Investment Act in December of 2022.“Stakeholder participation has been invaluable to the project team as we make plans to deliver a transportation solution that will benefit communities and all road users,” KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said. “Their voices, and the voices of everyone in the region, have and will continue to play an important role in making this project a success for residents on both sides of the river.” ODOT said a supplemental environmental assessment was required for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project to assess updated regulatory requirements, changed site conditions and other considerations since 2012 when the project’s original environmental assessment was approved.The bridge was built in the 1960s to carry around 80,000 vehicles a day, but the daily traffic load has reached 160,000 vehicles in recent years.Talk of replacing the bridge stalled when the pandemic hit.Then, in November 2020, a fiery crash set the bridge on fire, shutting down all traffic for weeks.In 2021, a maintenance project to clean and paint the bridge resulted in ramp and lane closures for eight months.The project will create a companion bridge to the west of the existing Brent Spence Bridge, as well as improvements to the current bridge and the roadway network that ties into each river crossing, stretching from the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio to Dixie Highway in Kentucky without tolls.