Wednesday, February 17, 1999
New bridge in Newport a challenge
Job will turn on many issues
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — City officials will take a long look at possible traffic problems and resident concerns before the 10th Street bridge over the CSX railroad tracks is replaced in two years.
Some minor right-of-way work will be completed this year by state highways crews, followed by relocation of utilities. Reconstruction of the overpass is to be completed by 2002 at a cost of $3.8 million.
Newport City Manager Phil Ciafardini said Tuesday the overpass replacement has been on the state's six-year transportation plan for some time.
“There have been regular inspections of the bridge, and the state is preparing to move ahead with the project,” he said. “I think the amount of weight it can carry is the major consideration.”
State highway department district chief engineer Joe Kearnes said Tuesday that the overpass is safe for traffic but needs to be replaced.
“That old bridge has a pretty low (weight) rating,” he said, pointing out that it wasn't intended to carry excessive amounts of traffic or large trucks. “It's been on the (six-year) list for quite a while, but now we're moving ahead with the project.”
Because the overpass, which is barely discernable to motorists driving through the intersection of 10th Street and Park Avenue, is part of an artery into the city from Interstate 471, there will be studies about how the construction will progress.
“Fortunately, we have a couple of years to work on this and come up with the plan that will best handle the traffic,” Mr. Ciafardini said. “Our first concern is the residents who live close to the intersection. We must be certain that they are not unduly inconvenienced.”
He said 10th Street, which is also Ky.1120 and ultimately crosses the Licking River into Covington over the Short Way (12th Street) Bridge, seems well able to handle the traffic now.
“It appears it is used more by local motorists than by people just visiting Newport,” Mr. Ciafardini said. “Signage (on I-471) directs people to the Ky.8 exit when entering the city from that direction.”
He said he could see some problems with the bridge replacement depending on how the construction is carried out.
“If one lane is kept open, it shouldn't be a big problem,” he said. “If the intersection is closed and the entire bridge replaced at one time, we'll have to look at alternate routes.”
Mr. Kearnes said there would be no final decision how the construction would be completed for at least another year.
“It's usually quicker and cheaper to close the road and do the bridge all at once,” he said. “But we have to look at all the factors when we make that decision.”
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