A Commitment
to Improving Safety and Connectivity For All
An OKI study found that more than 700 pedestrians cross the KY 8 Licking River Bridge every day. The new bridge will be designed to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic – and will provide safe connections to existing infrastructure in Covington and Newport. Beyond just providing safe and efficient connectivity for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists, the bridge will include a signature design that enhances the visual appeal of the crossing and fits within the aesthetic context of the surrounding communities.
Safe for All
KYTC is committed to building a safe and efficient replacement bridge that accommodates current and future development in the growing cities of Covington and Newport. Projects like Newport’s 25-acre Ovation on the River and the 23-acre Covington Central Riverfront are already bringing new residents and visitors to the area.
​
The new bridge will provide a safe crossing for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Pedestrian and bicyclist safety will be significantly improved with shared-use paths that meet today's accessibility design requirements. These updated connections to existing infrastructure in Covington and Newport will open opportunities for all users to cross safely and efficiently.
​
KYTC will provide continued connectivity for pedestrian and bicycle users that rely on the bridge for daily necessities such as work, childcare, etc.
“With our 23-acre Central Riverfront neighborhood underway and a new vision for the transportation chasm that is now Fourth Street, Covington has three goals for this bridge: a signature look, the capacity to handle expected growth in automobile traffic as well as TANK buses, and safe accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians,” said former Covington Mayor Joe Meyer. “We think KYTC has accomplished all three goals with this design, and we appreciate their collaborative work.”
The Design-Build Process
​
KYTC has selected PCL/Stantec/Rosales to partner in the design and construction of the new KY 8 Licking River Bridge. The Design-Build Team (DBT) will work collaboratively with KYTC to develop concepts, refine designs, and ultimately build the replacement bridge. The DBT of PCL/Stantec/Rosales was selected through a procurement process that considered qualifications and project approach, rather than cost.
​
Using a design-build delivery method allows for collaboration between the KYTC, the designer, and the construction contractor – each part of the team brings a unique perspective that helps identify challenges early in the process and then develop solutions to ensure the project is delivered at an acceptable cost and schedule.
Creating a Signature Bridge
​
KYTC recognizes that there is a desire for the replacement KY 8 Licking River Bridge to include a signature design that complements the surrounding aesthetic. To ensure that the replacement bridge gets a signature design, KYTC required an approved bridge architect to be included as part of the Design-Build Team. The bridge architect will work alongside the design engineer and construction contractor to develop concepts that meet the purpose and need of the project and are constructable within the project funding.
​
PCL and Stantec teamed with bridge architecture firm Rosales + Partners, a Boston-based firm known for their ability to create elegant and economical transportation solutions with strong community support. Rosales + Partners specializes in bridge and highway architectural design – and they have an impressive portfolio of bridges that have advanced beyond concepts or renderings and are actually in use today. You can view their portfolio here.
​
Knowing that community input would be very important to achieving a successful design, KYTC has also formed an Aesthetics Committee to work directly with the bridge architect as he looks for inspiration for concepts that will be considered for bridge-type selection. The Aesthetics Committee is made up of local and state elected officials and local and state historic preservation officers. They will meet with the bridge architect several times leading up to the bridge-type selection, providing valuable input and feedback that will help shape features that may be included in the final design.
-
Does the public have an opportunity to provide feedback to the project team on the project?Yes. Multiple public meetings have been held since 2021. The public can also provide feedback for consideration by the project team through the project website at ky8bridge.org.
-
Are members of the community actively engaged in the project?Yes. An aesthetics committee made up of community leaders from Newport and Covington has been created to help identify key elements that may be included in the final bridge design. Stakeholders serve a critical role, bringing valuable input from their constituents to the project team and serving as advocates for the project in their communities.
-
How are community priorities being addressed in the project?The KY 8 Licking River Bridge project brings the opportunity to address shared community priorities by: Reconnecting communities through multi-modal and pedestrian-friendly improvements. Providing continued connectivity for pedestrian and bicycle users that rely on the bridge for daily necessities such as work, childcare, etc. Providing aesthetic features that create a signature structure in Northern Kentucky.
-
Are Newport and Covington residents still able to contribute input?Yes! Comments or questions may be submitted to the project team via the project website at ky8bridge.org.