Riverfest returns to the region on Sept. 1, bringing many street closures to Newport.
Thousands fill the riverfronts on both sides of the Ohio River to watch the annual WEBN fireworks show, bringing crowds and traffic to Newport, Covington and Cincinnati. The fireworks will be launching from the Ohio River starting at 9 p.m.
Here are the following streets with closures on Sept. 1 and what time they will occur:
- Riverboat Row, west of port entry to Dave Cowens, closes at 8 a.m.
- Columbia Street: north of 3rd Street, closes at 8 a.m.
- Purple People Bridge: closes at 8 a.m. and will reopen at 2 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2
- Taylor Southgate Bridge: vehicular traffic closes at 6 p.m. Pedestrian access will close at 7:30 p.m.
- Monmouth Street: 3rd Street to 11th Street, closes at 7:30 p.m. No parking will be permitted on Monmouth Street after 6:30 p.m.
- Dave Cowens Drive: closes at 7:30 p.m.
- I-471 ramps to Route 8 (exit 5): closes at 7 p.m. both north and south
- 10th Street between Saratoga and York Street: closes at 7:30 p.m.
- 4th Street Bridge: closes at 8:30 p.m.
- All other I-471 ramps: closes at 8:30 p.m. I-471 North will remain open during the event unless the safety of motorist determines it needs to be closed.
- Licking Pike North at Aspen Drive: closes at 9 p.m.
When leaving the city of Newport:
All traffic leaving the event will be routed to I-471 or I-275. If you are directed to a route you do not want to take, the Newport Police Department said to continue to the route as instructed. Once on the interstate traffic can take any exit to turn around if need be.
The Newport Police Department recommends turning off your GPS until reaching the interstate, as the direct route to your destination may not be available due to street closures and the large volume of traffic.
At approximately 9 p.m., Monmouth Street will reopen and become a one-way street going south, sending all traffic to I-471.
All traffic west of York Street will be directed south to 12th Street, which will be a one-way street going west to send traffic to I-275.
All traffic near Dave Cowens Drive after the event will be sent to I-471 north or south.
All traffic leaving the event area going south on Columbia Street (from Riverboat Row and the Newport on the Levee garage) will have to make a right on W 3rd Street as follows:
- A right turn will take you around the 4th Street roundabout and will be directed toward Wilder for the AA Highway and I-275 East or West exit.
Once Covington Police open their side of the 4th Street Bridge, traffic will then be allowed to travel west through Covington to I-75 north or south.
Handicap parking will be available in the 200 block of Columbia Street adjacent to the Flats on the Row apartment complex.