COVINGTON, Ky. — Covington city leaders have announced the state has recently hired an engineering consultant to conduct a study to ensure traffic data and user safety support reconfiguration efforts of Fourth Street. Devou Good Foundation's President, Matt Butler, said that's a step in the right direction.
State and city leaders are working to make one Covington street safer for all trying to get around. Equitable access is a huge focus of the project.
“I ride my bike for all the meetings I have to go to. This is an e-bike, so I can make it up and down the hills pretty easily. But I do have kids that have a lot of activities, so I do drive a car,” said Butler, who knows the benefits of safe roads.
Butler's group has been lobbying city leaders for better road solutions for bike commuters.
He explains riding his bike is something that allows him to further understand those who don’t have access to a car.
“About 20% of the households are zero car households — so we try to elevate those voices and try to advocate for transportation issues,” Butler explained.
That’s why he’s grateful to hear the city of Covington and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet are evaluating a plan to reconfigure Fourth Street.
“Fourth Street is one of the most dangerous corridors in northern Kentucky,” Butler shared.
City leaders say the state has hired an engineering consultant to conduct a study to ensure traffic data and user safety to support their vision in reconfiguring the street.
“Fourth Street, as it is currently set up, doesn’t serve the city very well, “ said Covington Mayor Joe Meyer.
The study should be finished by the summer. The goal is to make it easier for walkers, bikers, pedestrians and cars. Meyer says they aim to do this by “reducing traffic from three lanes to two lanes, by widening sidewalks and by adding a bicycle lane.”
This is just part of what’s going on in the area. Officials said Fourth Street is becoming a space for all kinds of projects sitting in the design phase.
Another project being considered among state and city leaders is the replacement of the Fourth Street Bridge, which connects Newport and Covington.
Butler says safety across bridges and throughout the streets is key for so many people. “People have been advocating for safer streets and by redoing Fourth street and narrowing the lanes, it’s going to make it a lot safer for everyone, including people in cars,” he said.
Officials say the first stage of reconfiguring the corridor could begin in the next two years. Covington city leaders said they’ll continue discussing ideas as the engineer consultant completes the work. If the project is implemented, it would happen in two stages.