How to View Northern Kentucky's Potential New 4th Street Bridge in Virtual Reality

Curious commuters in Northern Kentucky can soon catch a virtual glimpse of a possible new 4th Street bridge.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has set aside $70 million to replace the 4th Street Veterans Bridge that connects Newport and Covington over the Licking River. Transportation advocates at the Coalition for Transit and Sustainable Development (CTSD), a program of the Devou Good Foundation, are worried that KYTC will widen the new bridge to four lanes for vehicles.

CTSD thinks a four-lane bridge could have negative effects for travelers and nearby residents.

“There will be more thru-traffic in quiet neighborhoods, more too-fast cars speeding across the bridge, and the state will have to tear down the iconic tree on the corner of Garrard Street and 4th Street,” reads a project description from CTSD.

Instead, CTSD wants state engineers to consider a bridge design that residents voted on during community feedback sessions with CTSD in 2022. The "Spoke" bridge design gives pedestrians and cyclists dedicated pathways separate from traffic lanes and a potential streetcar lane. Virtual renderings depict a futuristic design with park-like lounge areas for pedestrians.

On May 3, residents can put on a headset for a virtual reality simulation of the possible new 4th Street Bridge. Presentations are from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Hub+Weber Architects at 200 West Pike Street in Covington.

CTSD hopes the experience will inspire residents to push the state to pick up the design.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with bridge advocates about the designs and next steps to have both Covington and Newport Commissions pass a resolution in favor of the bridge and safe connections,” the event description reads.

The VR simulation event is free and open to the public with no reservation required.