The spring demolition of Kentucky's 90-year-old KY 8 Licking River Bridge has cleared the way for the work to begin on a new $99.6 million river crossing. The new KY 8 Licking River Bridge Project is being hailed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) as a "bold new signature bridge designed to enhance safety, strengthen connections between the two cities and stand as an iconic landmark for Northern Kentucky."
Built in 1936, the original KY 8 Licking River Bridge had exceeded design limits. It was brought down in seconds with a controlled blast minutes after state and city officials gathered on the riverfront to celebrate the old and outgoing bridge. Like the original bridge, the replacement bridge links the growing cities of Covington and Newport.
KYTC photo
The Design-Build Team (DBT) of PCL/Stantec/Rosales was selected to partner with the KYTC for the design and construction of the new bridge. It was selected through a procurement process that considered qualifications and project approach, rather than cost, Jake Ryle, public information officer for KYTC District 6, told Construction Equipment Guide.
"Using a design-build delivery method allows for collaboration between the KYTC, the designer, and the construction contractor," he said. "Each part of the team brings a unique perspective that helps identify challenges early in the process and then develop solutions to ensure the project is delivered at an acceptable cost and schedule."
With the "dust settled" from the demolition project, construction crews have begun working on the substructure.
"That's the construction work that needs to take place underneath the ground to ensure the load of the bridge can be supported," Ryle said. "Bridges need a whole lot in the way of support. That's where drilled shafts come into play. Since we're building an arch bridge, the substructure below will need to accommodate both vertical and lateral loadings. These drilled shafts are anchored deep down into the rock so that the bridge can withstand these forces."
KYTC photo
The contractor is scheduled to install 36 shafts by September with 18 of those drilled in Newport and 18 in Covington. The shafts will be driven more than 80 ft. deep.
"It's a pretty lengthy process for each one of these drilled shafts," Cory Wilson, KY 8 Licking River Bridge project manager told Construction Equipment Guide. "It's a labor-intensive process. It takes a lot of heavy equipment, a lot of manpower, to get each one done."
One of the major challenges crews face is finding room to do the work. While the area on the Newport side of the river has adequate space, the Covington side of the river is tighter.
"There's been a lot of clearing to make way for the work to install the new bridge," Wilson said. "That clearing has exposed the steepness of that terrain on the Covington side. Crews have been busy building a trestle platform to get the crane closer to the river so we can perform drilled shaft work."
Crews also are finding ways to make the job more efficient, scheduling the upcoming work on footings to take place at the same time as the drilled shafts are installed. "Performing this work at the same time will save construction time and keep the project moving forward on schedule," Ryle said.
The new KY 8 Licking River Bridge will feature three slender steel arches reaching 58 ft. above the roadway, with a bridge span of 446 ft. across the Licking River.
"This is nearly 200 feet longer than the main river span of the [former] existing bridge and creates expansive views of the landscape," Ryle said. "Below the bridge deck, concrete piers will not only serve to support the structure but will also visually frame the Licking River."
KYTC photo
The design also will update bike and pedestrian connections with 12-ft. wide, shared use paths separated from vehicular traffic and bring the bridge into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) while also offering users open river and city views, Ryle said.
"These updated connections to existing infrastructure in Covington and Newport will open opportunities for all users to cross safely and efficiently."
Construction is expected to last approximately two-and-a-half years with the bridge reopening to traffic by Summer 2028.
"I know everybody's excited to get to use it," Wilson said. "This bridge crossing represents a vital connection for not only these two communities of Covington and Newport, but the entire region and area."
