Road safety enhancements underway on NKY bridge

COVINGTON, Ky. (WXIX) - Crews have already started working on a new road configuration on the 12th Street (KY 1120) bridge over the Licking River between Covington and Newport to increase safety for all.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, KYTC, says the new configuration will provide two driving lanes and two dedicated bike lanes separated from traffic.

They say that there will be a single vehicular lane in each direction, with the bike lane separated by a buffer.

“The new configuration addresses concerns raised by residents and community leaders about pedestrian and bicyclist safety across the corridor. The process to develop the current plans required careful planning over a span of several months - with several design concepts being considered,” KTYC said in a press release.

On Thursday, crews placed thermoplastic ground markings throughout the area to enhance safety and visibility. Delineators will be installed once all the striping and markings are in place, KYTC said.

Digital message boards have been installed to warn motorists of the upcoming road configuration. They have also installed signs on 12th Street in Covington at the intersection of Wheeler Avenue and Prospect Avenue, along with markings on the road to indicate lane usage.

During the project, drivers should expect single lane closures on KY 1120 from west of Wheeler Avenue to its intersection with Brighton Street.

The transportation cabinet says the configuration will have a stop condition in the eastbound lane approaching the bridge at 12th Street and Wheeler Avenue in Covington, so motorists will be more aware of pedestrians and bicyclists.

Once the configuration is completed, motorists in the right lane on Covington’s E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. must turn right onto Wheeler.

Drivers wanting to access the bridge will stay in the left lane before approaching the bridge. One vehicular lane will continue across the bridge into Newport.

Motorists traveling westbound (from Newport to Covington) can turn left onto Wheeler Avenue or turn right onto Prospect Street.

KYTC has not stated when the project will be finished.

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