NEWPORT, Ky. — One of northern Kentucky’s most recognizable landmarks, which connects the region to Cincinnati, hasn’t been doing so for the last few months.

What You Need To Know

  • Since late May, people haven’t been able to walk fully across the Purple People Bridge from Newport to Cincinnati and vice versa

  • The gates on the Cincinnati side have been closed after a piece of sandstone fell from one of the piers

  • Newport’s Board of Commissioners just voted to approve $62,500 toward the repair of the bridge

  • The port authority and BE NKY are considering their own contribution toward the $125,000 needed to reopen the bridge.

New funding has been approved to get the Purple People Bridge fully open as soon as possible.

Since late May, people haven’t been able to walk all the way across the Purple People Bridge from Newport to Cincinnati and vice versa. The gates on the Cincinnati side have been closed after a piece of sandstone fell from one of the piers.

“We’ve lost that connectivity. In an average year, we have about a million people that walk across that bridge. So the closure definitely impacts our community,” said Christine Russell, executive director of the Northern Kentucky Port Authority.

The port authority, along with the city of Newport and BE NKY Growth Partnership have been having discussions about how to get it back fully open.

“We’ve got Oktoberfest coming up, we’ve got Blink coming up. So it’s important to have that bridge open and people able to take advantage of going across there for those amazing events,” Russell said.

Newport’s Board of Commissioners just voted to approve $62,500 toward the repair of the bridge. The port authority and BE NKY are considering their own contribution toward the $125,000 needed to reopen the bridge. An additional estimated $125,000 will be needed to fully complete repairs and stabilize the bridge.

“Having the connectivity between our communities and across our river is huge. This is our only pedestrian-only bridge,” Russell said. “And I want to bring both sides of the river to the table in rethinking what this bridge can be for our community.”

Fundraising efforts continue in hopes of fully opening the bridge by Labor Day weekend. 

The Northern Kentucky Port Authority is also committing to raising and allocating funding for the long-term operation of the bridge, so it can remain an iconic landmark for years to come.

Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. said he is encouraged that the Northern Kentucky Port Authority is stepping up as part of its expanded economic development role in the region.

“The NKY Port Authority, like the City of Newport, realizes we have a heavy lift in front of us,” Guidugli said. “A true regional approach and commitment is necessary for both the temporary fix on the bridge as well as more permanent improvements to its operation and the future opportunities for unleashing potential. The framework of how the Purple People Bridge currently operates is a struggle. We are open to a change.”

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