The holiday weekend: Plan ahead if you are going to Riverfest or the fireworks; some traffic info

Staff Report

More than a quarter million people are expected on the Riverfront this weekend to enjoy Riverfest, the area’s annual summer send-off. The theme for the event’s 39th year is “America” and will honor veterans and service people.

The big finale, of course, is Sunday night and the Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks presented by Cincinati Bell. That should start around 9 p.m.

Traffic advisories:

The Clay Wade Baily Bridge, Suspension Bridge, Purple People Bridge and Taylor Southgate Bridge will all close at 6 p.m. to vehicles and pedestrians. The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge will close at 7:30 p.m. Streets into Mt. Adams will close at 6 p.m. and the Third Street exits from westbound Columbia Parkway and southbound I-71 will close at 9 p.m.

Road closures in Covington: All streets north of East Fourth Street and east of Madison Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic at 6 p.m. The Roebling Suspension Bridge, the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, the Purple People Bridge and the Taylor Southgate Bridge will be closed to all traffic beginning at 6 p.m. The Fourth Street Bridge to Newport will close at 8 p.m.

Madison Avenue will remain open to allow access to public parking lots and garages until they are full or 6 p.m., whichever occurs first. Once the parking lots and garages have reached full capacity, Madison Ave. will be closed to through traffic north of East Fourth Street.

Devou Park, Kenton Hills, and The Bluffs will have restricted traffic beginning at 2 p.m. Access to these areas will be restricted to residents and their guests only.

Street closings in Newport

Closing at 8 a.m.:
Riverboat Row;
Columbia below 4th St.;
3rd St. closes westbound from York and goes one-way east from York to Columbia

Closing at 7:30 p.m.:
Cowans Drive;
10th Street between Saratoga and York;
Monmouth Street from 3rd to 11th.

(From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monmouth will be closed and used by emergency vehicles only.)

There will be no parking on Monmouth after 7 p.m.

After the fireworks, Monmouth will be one-way south to clear the riverfront. All traffic west of York Street will be directed south on Central Ave. (Route 9) to 12th Street, right (westward) on 12th Street, follow 12th Street to I-275.

Bridge closings:

Purple People Bridge closes to pedestrians at 5 p.m.
Taylor Southgate Bridge closes to vehicles at 6 p.m., closes to pedestrians at 7:30 p.m.
4th Street to Covington closes at 8:30 p.m.
I-471 Exit Ramps to Route 8 close at 7:30 p.m. (unless safety concerns dictate closing earlier)

Vehicles parked on bridges, ramps, or highways will be cited and towed.

* Newport residents are encouraged to leave their cars at home and walk to their favorite viewing spot.

* Visitors are encouraged to utilize TANK’s Park and Ride from NKU

TANK will provide special Riverfest Shuttles from: Northern Kentucky University (Lot E). Fare for the Riverfest Shuttle is $6 round trip for adults. Children under 45” tall ride free. Exact fare is required. Buses will leave the park and ride locations every 20 minutes from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will return to the park and ride lots immediately after the fireworks. The Southbank Shuttle will stop running at 6 p.m. and WILL NOT resume until the next day Monday, September 7, 2015.