The KY 8 Licking River Bridge Project will replace the current bridge with a new bridge that will bring this vital connector up to modern needs and design standards. The new bridge will include four lanes of vehicular traffic, and greatly improve pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity and safety by creating designated shared-use paths separate from vehicular traffic.

The project will improve access to the central business districts of Covington and Newport while also supporting local businesses and underserved communities in historic neighborhoods. A bridge replacement would also allow public transit (TANK) to operate local and express routes on the bridge, serving as a vital connection for public transit users.

In addition, the project addresses multi-modal transportation by providing a safe route of travel for bicyclists and pedestrians via a designated shared-use path separated from vehicular traffic.

The signature Arch bridge-type was selected in December 2023. The project team will continue to refine the design of the bridge up until construction in 2026.

A bridge design selection took place in the Fall of 2023. The project team is actively working on refinements to the final bridge design. Utility work is expected to take place Fall 2025. A closure of the bridge crossing is expected in January 2026 with demolition of the existing bridge in Spring 2026. Construction is expected to last 2.5 years, with the bridge reopening to traffic as early as Summer 2028.

Motorists will detour using the Girl Scout Bridge (KY 1120/11th Street) between Newport and Covington. This detour adds approximately five minutes to a motorist's commute. 

Motorists should note that the Roebling Suspension Bridge has a reduced weight limit and will not be a detour option for vehicles exceeding that weight limit.

Pedestrian/Bicyclists: KYTC realizes the critical connection the bridge provides for pedestrians and bicyclists and is working with the Design-Build Team to ensure accommodations for safe passage for those users during construction.

The shuttle service is intended to provide a viable transportation option for those who are without a vehicle living in the east Covington and west Newport neighborhoods. This service will focus on providing a connection to basic and essential needs for these commuters – like daycare, employment and groceries. The shuttle service will provide accommodations for wheelchairs and bicycles.

More information about the TANK shuttle service can be found here.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) conducted a planning study in 2016 to determine a baseline structure for the KY8 Licking River Bridge Project. That study found that while three lanes would suffice for the existing traffic at that time, any additional development in Newport or Covington would require four lanes to accommodate the additional traffic. Since that time, work has started to develop the previous IRS site in Covington and there has been significant development of the Ovation site in Newport. New restaurants, music venues, and other attractions bring more traffic to the area, which will require lanes to support efficient traffic flow.

In addition, a four-lane bridge allows flexibility for future transportation uses as the vehicular and mass-transit needs of the surrounding communities develop and evolve.

KYTC is committed to constructing a bridge that supports multi-modal traffic and provides a dedicated lane for bicycles and pedestrians. This commitment has been made clear to the entire project team from day one and is reflected in the project goals. The new bridge will include pedestrian connections that are updated to meet the current standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act and other design guidance for railing height and sidewalk width. KYTC will provide continued connectivity for pedestrian and bicycle users that rely on the bridge for daily necessities such as work, childcare, etc. via shuttle service. More information about the shuttle service in partnership with TANK can be found here.

These improvements on the replacement bridge, combined with recent pedestrian access improvements KYTC made on KY 9 in Newport and the roadway reconfiguration on Covington’s West Fourth Street from Garrard Street to the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, demonstrate the Cabinet’s commitment to including bicycle and pedestrian-friendly designs in new roadway projects.

Any alternate plan developed by or presented to KYTC for this project must meet all requirements of the State Historic Preservation Office, the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Division of Water, and all KYTC standards, while also maintaining bicycle and pedestrian traffic during construction. It must also conform with the approved project budget and timeline.

That said, KYTC is committed to building an iconic bridge that will enhance the skyline and provide safe, improved access for bikes and pedestrians while also meeting transportation needs. To that end, the project team has taken the rare step of partnering with a bridge architect to ensure those goals are met.

The project will not change the number of lanes on 4th Street west of Garrard.

Although the bridge is being widened, the number of lanes continuing to 4th Street into Covington will remain the same at two lanes. The intersection of Garrard and 4th Street will be reconfigured to provide safe movement for all users, vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians. Outside of this project, efforts are underway with local officials to implement proven methods of traffic calming including a reduction in the number of lanes along 4th Street, revised lane widths, and sequencing of traffic signals.