ERLANGER, Ky. – The future of the aging Brent Spence bridge has become the top issue in a northern Kentucky state Senate race.

The bridge crosses the Ohio River and connects Erlanger to Cincinnati. It carries Interstates 71 and 75 between the two states.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports that both candidates running to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Erlanger, say their highest priority is moving the $2.4 billion replacement of the 40-year-old span higher on the federal priority list.

Republican Chris McDaniel of Taylor Mill and Democrat James Noll of Villa Hills are running for the 23rd District seat in northern Kenton County. Although they agree that the bridge project should be a priority, they differ on how it should be financed.

McDaniel said he opposes tolls; Noll said he’s undecided and thinks tolls need to be studied more.

McDaniel said he favors a formula of federal and state road funs based on population.

“I obviously need to work with the federal delegation,” McDaniel said. “It is a federal issue.”

Noll said he hasn’t committed to a funding source, but hopes to have the project completed in a decade.

“I’m not committed to say tolls are necessary or tolls are out of the question,” Noll said. “It merits study. There needs to be a combination of state funding and federal funding. I believe there’s probably some creative financing through the issuance of public bonds or private and public bonds.”

McDaniel said the state’s $30 million liability in its pension system spurred him to make his first run at public office.

“I really felt like I’d watched politician after politician kick the can down the road on the hard decisions, and they didn’t deal with the most pressing problems,” McDaniel said. “I felt with my business experience and Army experience, I brought a history of getting things done and can do that in the Senate.”

Noll said he favors eliminating pensions for state lawmakers and wants to put expanded gambling on the ballot.