NEWPORT, Ky. — A northern Kentucky landmark needs some repair and a new paint job to restore its iconic color.
Tony Wuestefeld and Julia Medrzyck live just down the road from the Newport Southbank Bridge, more commonly known as the Purple People Bridge in Newport. They take advantage, walking the bridge almost every day.
“Run it all the time. Especially when it’s nice out. It’s kind of cloudy today, but hey, people are still out here,” Wuestefeld said. “I think it’s huge, especially since COVID’s kind of, not all the way wrapped up, but people are not as scared of coming out and enjoying it. It just kind of brings everyone together.”
Wuestefeld and Julia Medrzyck are two of the nearly one million people every year who cross the bridge, which connects Newport to Cincinnati, the longest bridge of its kind in the country.
That number was a little lower last year, as the bridge was at least partially shut down for about six months after a stone fell off one pier into the river. The Newport Southbank Bridge Company had to raise $350,000 to make the repairs to get it back open.
When a nonprofit owns and maintains a bridge as popular and as big as the Purple People Bridge, it has to rely on others to chip in when it needs work. Gov. Andy Beshear was standing on the bridge in late April for a check presentation ceremony.
“We have a $175,000 reward for the city of Newport to support the bridge we’re standing on right now,” Beshear said.
The grant comes through the Department for Local Governments Recreational Trails Program.
The money will help with maintenance needs on the bridge, including the expansion joints between bridge sections, sandstone repairs on bridge piers, improving electric and water service. It will also enhance the bridge deck through the stripping of former roadway markings and resurfacing the blacktop areas on the approaches.
It will take six months for that work to begin.
“It’s iconic. It brings people to the area. It attracts investment to northern Kentucky,” Beshear said. “Kentucky families and their neighbors in Ohio deserve fun, safe ways to enjoy the outdoors, and they deserve the very best on this bridge.”
Meanwhile, the bridge company is trying to put together $1.5 million to repaint the bridge, which is turning 150 years old this year. It was last painted in 1992.
“This bridge continues to give so much to our region. And it’s time we give back to it, to ensure a safe and high-quality landmark, trail and regional connection today, and for the next 150 years,” said Newport Southbank Bridge Company President Will Weber.
While Wuestefeld said he loves the bridge, he wondered aloud if it’s money well spent.
“It would be a huge difference if we got a nice coat of paint on here,” he said. “I just don’t know how it costs a million and a half to paint it. The bridge is great, it does bring everyone together. But there’s definitely a lot of other things too, like roads and potholes.”
Medrzyck chimed in.
“I think it’s definitely worth it, honestly,” she said.
So far, about $50,000 has been raised toward putting the purple back in the Purple People Bridge. The company plans to announce events later this year to continue to fundraise toward the goal, which the company hopes to accomplish by Labor Day next year.