City of Newport releases regulations, information on traffic restrictions, street closures, for Riverfest

The City of Newport will participate in Riverfest today, along with Cincinnati and Covington. Many months of preparation are involved with this one-day celebration.  The City will have additional security officers on-site from the Kentucky National Guard, Campbell County and other cities to maintain safety and traffic control.

Reminder: Such a large venue requires some regulations, including:

1. DO NOT bring any beverages, or ALCOHOL of any type into the venue. (Parents with infants may bring water, milk, or other simulated milk products.)
2. DO NOT bring any coolers, grills, tents, large umbrellas, or large chairs.
3. DO NOT bring any roller-skates, rollerblades, scooters, motorized vehicles, or bicycles.
4. DO NOT bring any type of PETS.
5. DO NOT Park your vehicle illegally, or anywhere that you would not park it at any other given time (Such as: expressways, medians, road shoulders, entrance ramps, exit ramps, roadway, or no parking zones).
6.     DO NOT bring or fly any drones, remote controlled electronics, or any other flying objects.
7. DO NOT bring any laser pointers or other light emitting devices.
8. NO SOLICITING North of 4th St. without a ‘Special Riverfest Vendors License’ issued specifically for the event.
9. Plan on which side of the river you want to be on prior to 6:00 pm;

Which is when most of the road closures occur. Pedestrian traffic closes at 6:30 pm.

10. Allow yourself plenty of time to arrive early due to limited parking and road closures.
11. Plan for long delays when leaving the event due to a large amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
12. Dress appropriately for the weather.
13. Small children should consider wearing hearing protection.

TRAFFIC AND STREET CLOSURES:

Riverboat Row:                                                                Closes at 8:00am

Columbia Street (North of 4^th Street):                     Closes at 8:00am

Purple People Bridge:                                              Closes at 8:00am

Purple People Bridge- ‘Pagan’s Path’:                Closes at 2:00pm

Taylor Southgate Bridge (Vehicular):                    Closes at 6:00pm

Taylor Southgate Bridge (Pedestrians):                Closes at 7:30pm

Monmouth St 3^rd street to 11^th Street:                      Closes at 7:30pm

(NO PARKING ON MONMOUTH from 3rd to 11th)

Dave Cowens Drive                                                     Closes at 7:30pm

1-471 Ramps to Route 8 (Exit 5) both North & South: Closes at 7:30pm

10^th Street between Saratoga and York:                Closes at 7:30pm

4th Street Bridge:                                                         Closes at 8:30pm

All Other 1-471 Ramps:                                              Closes at 8:30pm

Licking Pike (Route 9) North at Aspen Drive            Closes at 9:00pm

I-471 North will remain open during the event, unless the safety of motorist determines it needs to be closed.

All traffic leaving the event is being routed to I-471 or I-275, If you are directed to a route or direction that you are not wanting to take, please continue on the route as instructed, and once on the interstate, you can simply take any exit to get turned around if you need to. Due to street closures and the large amount of traffic, the direct route to your destination may not be available. Both Interstates will take you anywhere in the TRI-STATE area.

Please TURN OFF GPS while not on the interstate.

When Leaving the City of Newport:

• At approximately 9:00 PM, Monmouth St will reopen and change to a one-way street going South to send all traffic to I-471.
• All traffic West of York Street will be directed South to 12th Street. 12^th St will be a one-way street going West to send all traffic to I-275.
• After the event, the NKU buses will stage on Dave Cowens (Route 8) entrance ramp to I-471 South for everyone that arrived on the buses.
• All traffic near Dave Cowens (Route 8) after the event will be sent to I-­471 North or South.
• Due to construction and street closures all traffic going south on Columbia St. (Traffic from Riverboat Row & Levee Garage) will have the option to make a right or left turn on W. 3rd Street as follows:

– Right turn will take you around the 4^th St. Round-a-bout around to 5th & Central, RIGHT onto Central to W. 9^th St, RIGHT onto W, 9t^h St to Lowell St (New Route 9), LEFT onto Lowell St, and traffic will be directed toward Wilder (AA Highway & I-275 East or West).

– Left turn will direct you South onto York St, RIGHT onto W. 12th St, STRAIGHT through toward Wilder (AA Highway & 275 East or West).

– Once Covington Police open their side of the 4th St Bridge, traffic will then be allowed to travel west through Covington to I-75 North or South.

City of Newport

*Editor’s note: For information on Covington rules and restrictions, click here.