“We were successful as far as getting our message across and receiving support,” Rogers said. “It boils down to what’s going to be in the national infrastructure package.”
While the Trump Administration has yet to roll out its transportation and infrastructure plan, reportedly to spend $1 trillion over 10 years, the Senate Democrats have already released its infrastructure blueprint.
MORE: Senator highlights infrastructure needs in Cincinnati
“With both parties talking about it, I like our chances,” he said.
Rogers said the OKI delegation met with the congressional and senate delegations from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana to discuss regional infrastructure needs in the Greater Cincinnati area.
The Brent Spence Bridge is the region’s top infrastructure project and one of the top infrastructure projects in the nation because of the sheer amount of traffic and commerce that crosses the Ohio River on Interstate 71/75.
More than 186,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day and the project’s cost is estimated at more than $2.6 billion. More traffic in the region is also expected to grow as Amazon recently announced it was building a new hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport that will create 2,000 jobs.
MORE: Amazon to add 2,700 jobs at Cincinnati airport
McConnell told the delgation it should not bring a project to the federal government without a financing package, according to Rogers.
Agreements need to be made with Northern Kentucky officials, and a study ordered by Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin is expected to be completed in September about the Brent Spence Bridge project, according to Rogers
However, Rogers said he was concerned with the city of Cincinnati asserting that it was a sanctuary city, something which could affect federal funding.
RELATED: Cincinnati home to 3 of country's top traffic 'bottlenecks'
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