Nine-month closure needed to preserve historic landmark

Restoration work on the Roebling Bridge begins, Monday, Feb. 1, with single-lane closures. The bridge between Covington and Cincinnati will fully close to vehicular traffic as of Feb. 15 and will remain in place through November. Sidewalks will remain open for the duration of the project.

COVINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2021) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists the John A. Roebling Bridge will be reduced to a single lane of traffic beginning Monday, Feb. 1, and completely closed to vehicular traffic two weeks later, Feb. 15, for a lengthy restoration project to preserve the 154 year-old historic landmark.

The bridge was closed in April 2019 as a safety precaution after sandstone fragments broke from the east side of the north tower. Temporary netting was installed, and the bridge was re-opened in August 2019. KYTC and representatives of the State Historic Preservation Office have been working to develop a project that will address several issues and help preserve and protect the structure for future generations.

The $4.7 million project was awarded to Lithko Restoration Technologies, LLC. The project includes masonry work and the repair and replacement of sections of sandstone on the north and south anchorages and towers.  Other work includes minor deck and sidewalk repair.

“The bridge will be limited to a single lane of traffic for two weeks, then closed to traffic altogether for this restoration,” said Bob Yeager, chief district engineer for the Department of Highways District 6 office. “But we know what a vital connection this is and we will keep a pedestrian sidewalk open during the project.”

Special traffic signals will be installed to allow for a single lane of traffic, enabling crews to prepare for the full closure that begins Feb. 15. The bridge is scheduled to reopen to traffic by the end of November and the overall project is expected to be complete by Dec. 31.

The Roebling Bridge carries approximately 8,100 vehicles a day. Motorists may use the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge (US 25) or the 4^th Street/Veterans Bridge (KY 8) to the Taylor Southgate Bridge (US 27) as a detour.