Written by Newport City Commissioner Aaron Sutherland
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 6 has long played a major role in shaping transportation infrastructure in Northern Kentucky. Over the decades, its decisions have had lasting impacts on communities in Bellevue, Newport, and throughout Campbell County. The construction of I-471 and its associated ramps dramatically altered neighborhoods, and in Newport in particular, highway traffic was funneled into residential streets—creating challenges that residents continue to navigate today, including congestion, noise, and safety concerns for pedestrians.
Despite these challenges, Newport residents have repeatedly shown the power of community advocacy. When proposals threatened to turn Mansion Hill’s historic Fourth Street and Nelson Place into highway ramp corridors, residents stepped forward and successfully preserved two of the most iconic streets in the River Cities. That effort demonstrated an that while cities may not control KYTC’s decisions, local voices can still shape outcomes and protect what matters most.
In recent years, attention has increasingly focused on pedestrian and bicycle access—especially along the Ohio River, where Northern Kentucky’s largest tourism destinations are concentrated. Newport on the Levee, Festival Park, Covington’s riverfront, and the broader trail network depend on safe, intuitive pedestrian connections. These paths are not just amenities; they are critical infrastructure that supports tourism, local businesses, and regional economic vitality.
The Girl Scout Bridge illustrates both the challenge and the opportunity. Connecting residential streets in Newport and Covington, the bridge was designed as a four-lane structure that functioned more like a highway than a neighborhood connector. For years, pedestrians and cyclists crossed it under unsafe conditions. After the tragic death of a beloved community member who was struck while bicycling across the bridge, residents and advocates appropriately demanded safer accommodations. KYTC responded by removing two lanes of vehicle traffic to create space for bicycles. While this acknowledged the needs of non-vehicular users, many believe more creative and protective design solutions could have improved safety without significantly reducing traffic capacity.
The Fourth Street Bridge—also known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge—represents the next major chapter. Built in 1936, the bridge has been slated for replacement for several years. The Kentucky General Assembly funded the project, and KYTC convened a design committee that included representatives from Newport and Covington. It is important to be clear: while local leaders participated in discussions and provided input, neither city controls the design, construction timeline, nor closure decisions. Those decisions rest entirely with KYTC.
Early hopes included keeping the existing bridge open while a new span was built nearby and creating a design that slowed traffic, prioritized pedestrians, and enhanced the riverfront experience. For communities that rely heavily on walkability to connect hotels, entertainment districts, parks, and event spaces along the river, pedestrian access is essential. After months of discussion, KYTC chose a full replacement approach, requiring demolition of the existing bridge and a complete closure during construction. Current estimates place completion around 2028.
The proposed design includes four lanes of traffic and 12-foot pedestrian decks on both sides—an improvement that will benefit pedestrians and help reconnect key destinations once the bridge is complete. That aspect of the project deserves recognition.
Until then, the City of Newport remains focused on what it can control. While Newport does not have authority over KYTC projects, it does have responsibility for its local streets and the daily experience of residents, workers, and visitors. Our board and city staff will continue to closely monitor traffic patterns and pedestrian impacts and will use every available tool to keep traffic flowing as smoothly and safely as possible.
This includes pressing KYTC to have boots on the ground, identifying and addressing traffic flow issues, improving signal timing, and protecting residential access and parking—while also ensuring pedestrians can safely move between riverfront destinations that define our region’s tourism economy.
Newport will continue to advocate, collaborate, and act within its authority to ensure our streets function efficiently during construction and beyond, keeping safety, walkability, and community vitality at the forefront.
Aaron Sutherland is a Newport City Commissioner, a local attorney and resident of Newport’s East Row community