The aging KY 8 Licking River Bridge, which links Newport and Covington, will be demolished in spring 2026 to make way for a new modern replacement that will serve the area’s changing infrastructure needs and urban development.
Originally built in 1936, the existing bridge has exceeded its design life and no longer meets the demands of today’s traffic. As Covington and Newport continued to develop, KYTC officials have decided that a replacement is needed to more effectively serve cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike.
The new bridge will be a visually striking three-steel-arch design, 58 feet above the Licking River. The design, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said, was fashioned to fit in with the historic character of the neighborhoods that surround it.
“This arch concept has a signature aesthetic design that considers the surrounding environment, including the nearby historic neighborhoods of Newport and Covington,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray in a statement.
Current Licking River Bridge to be demolished
Following the demolition of the current bridge, work crews will begin constructing the replacement, which will take two and a half years. KYTC is scheduled to close the bridge to traffic in January 2026. And the new span is to be open to traffic by the summer of 2028. Completion of all construction should be completed later that fall.
Some of the prominent features of the new bridge include:
Two traffic lanes in each direction
12-foot shared-use paths on both sides for bicyclists and pedestrians
A pier-supported structure crossing over the riverbanks
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Final Price tag for New Licking River Bridge is yet to be determined
Though the project had been pegged at $68 million, KYTC officials say the final price tag will be revised as design enhancements continue.
In a revision to earlier plans, the state will not keep the existing bridge open to pedestrian or bike traffic during construction, citing safety and the hope of shortening the overall project timeline.
During the closure, drivers will be detoured to the 11th Street Girl Scout Bridge (KY Route 1120) to cross between Newport and Covington.
Of specific interest, some residents had lobbied for a three-lane bridge rather than four, with the reasoning that fewer lanes could enhance safety and deter speeding. But state transportation officials are moving forward with the current four-lane plan.
The bridge design and construction schedule were formally announced on Tuesday, June 24 by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC).
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The KY 8 Licking River Bridge Replacement Project: Factsheet
Project Overview
Current Bridge Details
Built: 1936
Status: Beyond intended lifespan
Issue: No longer meets current traffic, pedestrian, and cycling needs
New Bridge Design
Architecture: Three steel arches, 58 feet high above Licking River
Design Philosophy: Complement historic character of surrounding Newport and Covington neighborhoods
Traffic Capacity: Two lanes in each direction (4 lanes total)
Pedestrian/Cyclist Access: 12-foot shared-use paths on both sides
Support Structure: Concrete piers framing riverbanks
Project leaders plan to further develop the bridge’s design while actively collaborating with local officials and historic preservation groups in Covington and Newport.
Licking River Bridge Replacement: Project Timeline
Bridge Closure: January 2026
Demolition: Spring 2026
Construction Duration: 2.5 years
Vehicle Opening: Summer 2028
Project Completion: Fall 2028
Traffic Management
Detour Route: 11th Street Girl Scout Bridge (KY Route 1120)
Existing Bridge Status: Will NOT remain open for pedestrians/cyclists during construction
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