COVINGTON, Ky. — The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky is offering a free shuttle service for people who depend on the 4th Street Bridge, which closed Monday for a 2.5-year demolition and replacement project.
Some businesses are preparing for how the closure will impact foot traffic.
"I tend to be an optimist and believe we will find other ways to get around," said Jennifer Bryant, marketing manager at SoHza Sister.
While some business owners told us they have concerns about the closure's impact, Bryant said she's pleased to see the City of Covington step up with a $750,000 grant to help businesses and neighborhoods during the bridge construction.
TANK will also offer a free shuttle every 30 minutes to cyclists and pedestrians during the bridge closure.
"We figured out that people on either side of the bridge were crossing it daily to go to places like hotels, restaurants, and in order to make sure that those businesses can continue to run, we want to make sure that people can get to their jobs," said Jenny Kammes, marketing manager at TANK.
WATCH: How TANK's shuttle will work and how Bryant's business is preparing for the closure
There will be four stops in both Newport and Covington.
Stops in Newport include:
- Central Avenue at 10th Street
- Central Avenue at 8th Street
- 6th Street at Isabella Street
- Isabella Street at 9th Street
Stops in Covington include:
- Greenup Street at 9th Street
- Greenup Street at 5th Street
- Scott Street at 6th Street
- Scott Street at 11th Street
Bus riders will have to ride bus routes 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 16 on the Northern Kentucky side and pay a fee of $2 to get to the Cincinnati side.
"We hope that everyone would take a deep breath," Bryant said.
The bridge is expected to be completed by the fall of 2028.
