Northern Ky. businesses pitch private funding for bridge

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Northern Ky. businesses pitch private funding for bridge

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Northern Kentucky businesses say they want state lawmakers to consider legislation that would allow private funding options for a new Brent Spence Bridge.

The bridge linking downtown Cincinnati and Covington is considered functionally obsolete by federal standards, with traffic way over its capacity. A current timetable calls for completion of the bridge project in 2022, but businesses are campaigning to get it done earlier.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports the Northern Kentucky Changer of Commerce met with state lawmakers Thursday to discuss legislative priorities in advance of the 2012 General Assembly and the proposal topped its list.

Many lawmakers said they would need assurances that tolls wouldn't be used as a funding source before they could support the proposal.

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