Kentucky officials hope new signs will keep hazmat trucks off Brent Spence Bridge

The state of Kentucky will begin the installation of new, upgraded signage along the Brent Spence Bridge this week. 

The improved “No Hazmat” signs are intended to improve highway safety along Interstate-275 and I-71/75 and improve awareness of the hazardous materials restriction on the Brent Spence Bridge. The installation will begin on April 12th, reported Spectrum News 1.

Signage will be updated at 12 locations along I-71/75 northbound and I-275 east- and westbound in Boone and Kenton counties. Ground mounted signs will be placed in three new locations, and some overhead signs will be fitted with plaques that say “No Hazmats.”

While the truck involved in the November 11th wreck that shut down the bridge was hauling a small amount of chemicals far below the federal threshold for categorization as a “hazmat” load, meaning it was crossing the bridge legally, officials still say the reexamination and upgrading of the signs was inspired by that serious incident. 

“We listened and then we held conversations at the local, state and federal levels regarding the hazmat restrictions in the area,” Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said. “We share the desire to install signage to reinforce the restrictions, which commercial drivers who plan their routes should already know.”

“This improvement in signage will increase awareness by giving additional notice of the longstanding hazmat restriction on I-71/75 between I-275 and the Ohio state line,”  he continued. 

“It’s worth noting that the small quantity of potassium hydroxide being transported by one of the vehicles did not contribute to the fire and was well below the federal threshold of what is considered hazardous material. It also bears repeating that it’s every driver’s responsibility to know and obey the rules of the road. But we will do everything we can to provide information.”