COVINGTON, Ky. — A vital bridge connecting northern Kentucky communities needs replacement, according to state transportation officials. People who cross the bridge regularly say they find it unsafe.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet now has designs for what the future replacement bridge could look like.
Jo Krippenstapel and the Fourth Street Veterans Memorial Bridge, which connects Covington and Newport, have a complicated relationship.
“I walk this bridge on a regular basis. I come to Covington to meet friends for lunch and for dinner. And I have often just been terrified for the safety of not only pedestrians, but bikers and vehicular traffic,” she said. “It is often just a terrifying experience to get over with any kind of safety. And I always have this thought about, ‘welcome to Covington, glad I stayed alive to experience it.’”
That’s not exactly the welcome sign Covington, Newport or KYTC want people to think of with the bridge. However, not everyone feels so strongly.
“It seemed just a little wobbly and the walkway might’ve been a little narrow. But other than that, everything else seemed fine. Seemed like traffic was getting through fine, and all that,” said Seth Parsons.
Still, KYTC says it’s time to replace the bridge, which carries Kentucky State Route 8 across the Licking River. Years of planning and public engagement helped shape the design for the bridge replacement.
Built in 1936, the bridge doesn’t meet modern standards for design and accessibility. A 2016 study found the current three lanes didn’t account for future growth or allow room for flexibility as transportation evolves.
“So, I’m really hopeful that any kind of changes to the bridge will be sensitive to both not only safety but the aesthetic experience of travelers,” Krippenstapel said.
On Thursday, KYTC announced four bridge concepts that will move forward for final consideration. Those are: arch, cable-stayed, inclined arch and suspension. They all can be viewed here.
“I think I like the suspension bridge the most,” Parsons said. “I just like suspension bridges the most, just because of the way they look. Just the design.”
People will have plenty of opportunity to give their opinion as well before a final decision is made. KYTC said each concept is rooted in safety and features two 12-foot-wide shared-use path walkways.
“This is a bridge that will last for the next 100 years. We want it to be an integral part. A community asset for the next 100 years,” said Mike Bezold from KYTC District 6.
As long as she can walk across it without feeling like she’s risking her life, Krippenstapel said she’s on board and will continue to offer her own input.
“And we really don’t need faster traffic. We need slower traffic,” she said.
A presentation on the 4th Street Bridge replacement has been rescheduled for Aug. 15. Members of the project management team from KYTC’s District 6 office will update the Covington Board of Commissioners on the bridge’s design and timeline.
KYTC will pick a design and hold a ground-breaking in October.