Covington sounds off on possible plans for two local bridges

COVINGTON, Ky. - Covington residents sounded off and asked questions Wednesday evening at a meeting with city leaders and Kentucky transportation officials about the future of two local bridges.

The bridges located at 15th and 11th streets have been closed for years but because of clearance issues for the railroad tracks underneath, something has to be done with them.

"Because we are under a mandate to have a 23-foot clearance over the railroad tracks, it requires us to raise the bridge a couple of feet more than it is," said Bob Yeager with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Transportation officials say the 11th Street bridge will never be re-opened to traffic because of issues with space and a lack of money in the budget, but it could be used for emergency vehicles and pedestrians.

The 15th Street bridge could carry regular traffic, but it would come at the expense of more than a dozen properties next to it.

The decision will determine if Neil Nelson’s house will have to be torn down.

"It's very emotional for me," Nelson said. “I've worked very hard on my home. I've lived in this neighborhood for 17 years."

Support for putting regular traffic back on the 15th Street bridge was tepid during the meeting. Residents in attendance seemed most supportive of the plan for a pedestrian bridge that would also be utilized by emergency vehicles.

Any construction on the bridges is likely two years away.