NEWPORT, Ky. — Campbell County received $406,000 for three projects improving outdoor infrastructure and recreational spaces at the Purple People Bridge, Newport Festival Park and Alexandria Community Park.
- Purple People BridgeThe Governor awarded $175,000 to the City of Newport for improvements to the Purple People Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that connects Kentucky to Ohio. It is the longest connector of its kind in the country that links two states. In addition to serving walkers and cyclists, the bridge is also wide enough to host festivals and other events. Nearly one million people cross the bridge every year. The funding comes from the Department for Local Government’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP), and will address maintenance needs on the bridge, specifically the expansion joints between bridge sections and sandstone repairs on bridge piers. The project also includes other upgrades, such as improving electric and water service and enhancing the bridge deck through the stripping of former roadway markings and resurfacing the blacktop areas on the approach.
- Newport Festival ParkGov. Beshear awarded $200,000 to the City of Newport from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to construct play areas at Festival Park. This project will also improve ADA-compliant access to the upper and lower terraces of Festival Park and provide new park amenities.
- Alexandria Community Park Picnic ShelterGov. Beshear awarded $31,000 to the City of Alexandria from the LWCF. The project includes demolishing the current picnic shelter at Alexandria Community Park and constructing a larger shelter that will cover more than twice the area of the existing shelter.
About the Recreational Trails ProgramThe RTP is funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It can be used to provide assistance for the acquisition of easements, development and/or maintenance of recreational trails and trailhead facilities for both motorized and non-motorized use. The RTP benefits communities and enhances the quality of life. All trails that have received FHWA funding must remain open to the public and be maintained for perpetuity.
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