The City of Newport announced it will soon move forward with long-term structural improvements to the Cincinnati approach of the Purple People Bridge, alongside a $2 million state investment to bring dynamic, color changing LED lighting to the iconic span.
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. With construction now moving forward, the City is replacing the temporary solution with a lasting fix, which will provide long-term stability.
“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.”
Construction on the Cincinnati approach is scheduled to begin at the end of April and continue through August, supported by regional partners BeNKY and meetNKY. Their contributions have helped accelerate the timeline, allowing the City to move quickly toward long-term improvements.
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. Additional intermittent closures may occur as construction progresses. While these temporary inconveniences are not ideal, they are necessary to preserve and strengthen the bridge.
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.
“This investment reflects growing recognition of the bridge’s value as a regional economic and recreational asset,” added Mayor Guidugli.
Additional details on the lighting project will be shared as plans are finalized.
City of Newport