The city of Newport is moving forward with long-term structural improvements to the Purple People Bridge, starting next week, alongside a $2 million state investment to bring color-changing LED lighting to the iconic landmark.
Construction on the Cincinnati approach is scheduled to begin April 27 and continue through August. To safely complete this work, temporary closures will be required throughout the construction period. The most significant closure will block access at the Cincinnati approach from May 4 through June 8.
The city assumed ownership of the bridge last September and has been working to fully repair and stabilize it. At the Newport Board of Commissioners special meeting on March 9, the city voted on an agreement with Structural Systems Repair Group, LLC, for repairs to the Purple People Bridge. The agreement also states that the repairs should not exceed $331,786, though Newport anticipates the project will cost closer to $272,741.
The upcoming repairs will permanently address structural damage that led to a nearly six-month closure in 2024 and required a temporary shoring tower for more than two years. The city’s monthly cost for the shoring tower is $8,697.
Funding for this work will come from MeetNKY ($75,000), BE NKY ($105,000) and city project funds. The work generally includes removal of deteriorated materials, installation of reinforced concrete repairs, replacement of bearing components and associated structural stabilization.
“The Purple People Bridge now moves from temporary fixes to a permanent solution,” said Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli. “Repairs beginning this month, combined with a $2 million state appropriation for new lighting, show what’s possible when the city leads and our partners step up. Nearly a million people walk, run, and ride across the bridge each year, making safety and access essential, even if short-term disruption is required.”
Additional intermittent closures may occur as construction progresses.
“This was originally planned for two, six-to-eight-week closures,” said Newport Assistant City Manager Brian Steffen. “That would last all the way through the remainder of the summer. We were able to work through logistics to trim that down now to right about 30 days.”
Separately, the city has secured a $2 million appropriation in the commonwealth of Kentucky’s recently enacted budget legislation for the installation of new dynamic, color-changing LED lighting on the bridge.
The LED lighting will be similar to the lighting coming to the new 4th Street Bridge.
The city said that this investment reflects growing recognition of the bridge’s value as a regional economic, recreational and cultural asset. Additional details on the lighting project will be shared as plans are finalized.
“This is going to be a game changer,” said Newport City Manager John Hayden. “Whenever we watch the Reds, the Bengals on a night game, and they pan out to see the whole riverfront, to see that bridge lit up red or orange for that game, it’s going to stand out. It’s going to complement the $14-plus million dollars that we’re placing on the riverfront right now, Festival Park and James Taylor Park.”
For real-time updates on construction schedules and closures, residents and visitors are encouraged to follow the city of Newport and the Purple People Bridge on social media.
