A new bridge design has been selected that will update a bridge from the 1930s and introduce a larger, safer connection between Covington and Newport.
The three-arch bridge design for the KY 8 Licking River Bridge assignment will add a fourth lane, upgrade bike and pedestrian connections, protect all riders, and remove existing weight restrictions for giant vehicles.
“This allocation represents our commitment to protecting and connecting all Kentuckians, now and in the future, in a region full of opportunities for expansion,” said Governor Andy Beshear.
PCL/Stantec/Rosales, the design-build team through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), will use the arch design to advance the engineering design of the bridge.
“We’re excited to share the final bridge type selection,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “The arch concept features a signature aesthetic design that considers the surrounding environment, including the nearby historic neighborhoods of Newport and Covington. Drivers and pedestrians can look forward to separate shared-use paths and four lanes that will accommodate traffic in this growing, vibrant region for decades to come.”
The KY 8 Licking River Bridge is a critical connection for commuters, pedestrians, bicyclists, and goods traveling between Covington and Newport. Built in 1936, the existing bridge has outlived its original lifespan and requires significant upgrades to meet the capacity and connectivity demands of the surrounding area. communities, adding the passage of Northern Kentucky Transit Authority (TANK) buses, which currently exceed the weight limit and will have to use alternate crossings. With progress underway in Covington and Newport, a replacement bridge is needed to meet the developing desires of all travelers at the KY 8 Licking River Bridge.
With the primary goal of providing a safe and efficient crossing for drivers, public transport, pedestrians and bicyclists that will serve the community for decades to come, KYTC began the KY 8 Licking River Bridge Replacement Project with a planning study conducted in 2016. The project team developed four preliminary signature design concepts in July 2023 using input gathered at multiple public meetings, an online survey in 2021 and discussions with a project aesthetics committee made up of community leaders and historic district representatives from both Covington and Newport. The final selection is Concept 1 of those four preliminary concepts, called the arch concept.
Covington Mayor Joe Meyer said the new KY 8 Licking River Bridge is critical to Covington and its long-term growth.
“With our 23-acre Central Riverfront community under structure and a new vision for the transportation sinkhole that is now Fourth Street, Covington has three goals for this bridge: a unique appearance, the ability to take care of the expected expansion in vehicular traffic as well as the TANK. safe buses and hotels for cyclists and pedestrians. ” Meyer said. “We consider KYTC to have achieved all 3 goals with this design and appreciate their collaborative work. “
Safe crossing for everyone
The design of the decided arch includes two 12-foot-wide cantilevered shared-use paths, separated from vehicular traffic and making the bridge compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), while offering users unobstructed perspectives of the river and the city. The arches provide a physical and visual barrier between motor cars and shared-use paths, protection for pedestrians and bicyclists.
With the bridge type selection made, the Design-Build Team can begin work toward the final configuration for the bridge approaches. During this process, traffic calming measures will be identified and implemented into the project’s final design. These may include lane-widths designed to facilitate reduced speeds for vehicles, intersection features, signal timing and pavement markings meant to improve safety for vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. In Covington, the project team will coordinate with the City of Covington and the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project team on their various improvements.
The design accommodates four lanes of traffic, based on recommendations from a 2016 planning study. That study found that while three lanes would suffice for the existing traffic at that time, any additional development in Newport or Covington may require four lanes to accommodate the additional traffic. Since that time, the Ovation site has been developed and a 264-room Margaritaville Resort will be built in Newport. In addition, Covington has begun work to develop the previous IRS site and announced the addition of the OneNKY Center, a 45,000-square-foot office building to be built at the foot of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. New restaurants, music venues like Ovation’s 7,000-person concert space, office space and other attractions bring more traffic to the area, necessitating additional capacity to support efficient traffic flow.
Equally important, a four-lane bridge allows flexibility for future transportation uses as the vehicular and mass-transit needs of the surrounding communities develop and evolve.
Iconic design
“During our public meetings and our project survey, we heard one thing over and over: Give this bridge a signature design that enhances the visual appeal of the crossing,” Yeager said. “That’s why we took the uncommon step of hiring a bridge architect, Miguel Rosales of Rosales + Partners. We are thrilled to move forward with his visually stunning three-arch bridge design. The arch concept was selected based on its soaring signature look that will make an elegant statement when viewed from a distance.”
The arch bridge concept spans 446 feet across the Licking River – nearly 200 feet longer than the main river span of the existing bridge – and features three slender steel arches reaching 58 feet over the roadway. The additional length creates expansive views of the landscape. Below the bridge deck, distinct V-shaped concrete piers frame the river.
“The three gracious steel arches with carefully designed V-shaped piers visually connect the arches to the shorelines of the Licking River,” Rosales said. “The arches frame the vehicular lanes and create a gateway experience between the cities of Covington and Newport. The absence of bracing between the arches gives this bridge a distinctly contemporary appearance.” The third arch also provides structural benefits for future maintenance and repairs of cables and arches.
As the design of the bridge progresses, the task team will continue to work with local netpainting leaders to identify other aesthetic and functional features that will be included in the task, such as artistic and landscaping.
Commitment to connectivity
“KYTC realizes the critical connection the bridge provides for pedestrians and bicyclists and is committed to ensuring their safety and access during construction,” said Yeager.
Next Steps
More details on the design variety and allocation of the KY 8 Licking River Bridge can be found at KY8Bridge. org.
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