The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) have announced a partnership to provide shuttle service during the construction of the KY 8 Licking River Bridge Replacement Project. The initiative aims to support residents in east Covington and west Newport who rely on pedestrian and bicycle access via the Fourth Street bridge and do not have access to a vehicle.
The new shuttle will offer connections for essential trips, including daycare, employment, and grocery shopping. The vehicle will be equipped with a bike rack to facilitate first and last-mile mobility options, as well as wheelchair accessibility for riders.
According to TANK, “This service will focus on providing a connection to basic and essential needs for these commuters – like daycare, employment and groceries. The shuttle vehicle will feature an installed bike rack to encourage first and last-mile mobility connections for riders. The bus will also provide wheelchair accessibility.”
The route will function as a public bus line at no cost to users. Due to one-way traffic patterns on Scott/Greenup Streets in Covington, the shuttle will run in a single loop direction. Stops in Newport include Central Avenue at 10th Street, Central Avenue at 8th Street, Isabella Street at 6th Street, and Isabella Street at 9th Street. In Covington, stops are located at Greenup Street at 9th Street, Greenup Street at 5th Street, Scott Street at 6th Street, and Scott Street at 11th Street.
Service is scheduled every day: weekdays from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m., weekends from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m., with shuttles looping every thirty minutes during operating hours. Operations are set to begin daily from January 2026 through Summer 2028.
For motorists affected by the bridge closure starting January 2026—required for utility relocations—the detour route uses the Girl Scout Bridge (KY 1120/11th Street) between Newport and Covington. This alternate path is expected to add about five minutes per trip.
Demolition of the current KY 8 Licking River Bridge is planned for Spring 2026 as part of preparations for constructing a new crossing. The project’s timeline anticipates reopening the bridge by Summer 2028 with final completion projected by Fall of that year.
