Staff Report
Construction has begun on the long-anticipated Route 9 project that will connect AA Highway to the Taylor Southgate Bridge in Newport.
The 2012 state General Assembly appropriated $26 million to the project.
The Boulevard will provide a new four-lane entrance to the city of Newport, highlighted by two roundabouts — one at the base of Veteran’s Bridge and one at the base of the Taylor Southgate Bridge.
Economic development in Newport, utilization of the Taylor Southgate Bridge, access to Covington will all be enhanced by the creation of this new roadway, says Jack Moreland, president of Southbank, a community and economic development organization focused on Northern Kentucky’s river cities.
“The Route 9 connector, which had been discussed since 1964, will create a major renaissance on the west side of the city of Newport and the east side of Covington,” says Moreland.
The new corridor, he says, will take advantage of current open space land for economic development (about 70 acres),
“It will breathe new life into some west end property in need of rehabilitation, it will increase traffic on the Taylor Southgate Bridge and hopefully take traffic off of the Brent Spence and provide great access to East Covington across the new 12th street bridge,” he says.
Moreland points out that construction of the new road has already stimulated the Newport economy through the Aqua at the Levee development, the new Hampton Inn and the recently announcement of the Sky Wheel.
“There are several other projects along the Route 9 corridor that are being planned that have yet to be announced,” he says.
Moreland believes that although there are a multitude of reasons, Route 9 may be the single most important factor in why we are seeing so much activity in our urban core.
“It is difficult to overstate its importance.”
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reports that this project is the northern-most phase in a multi-phase plan to reroute the KY 9 corridor from Wilder all the way to the riverfront.
Drivers are advised to exercise caution and watch for traffic control activity and detours.