The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic the next few evenings – starting tonight (Monday, Oct. 7) – as artists and engineers prepare the historic span for its “massive moment of shared art” at the four-day BLINK light, art and music event.
The Suspension Bridge will be adorned with moving lights timed to music during BLINK, according this conceptual design released by Brave Berlin, one of the BLINK producers (provided photo).
City officials are reminding drivers of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s announcement regarding the bridge between Covington and Cincinnati. Under the schedule, the bridge will be closed to vehicles during these times:
•Tonight, 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
•Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
•Wednesday, Oct. 9, starting at 7 p.m. through 10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14.
Walkways will remain open to pedestrians, KYTC said in its release. BLINK will have an Oggo fleet of lighted golf carts to transport attendees back and forth on the bridge during the four-night event, it said.
Meanwhile, the City of Covington announced some limited impacts on roads during the event:
• RiverCenter Boulevard from Scott Street to the Embassy Suites valet (just west of Madison Avenue) will be closed from 4 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday.
• Seventh Street between Madison Avenue and Washington Street also will be closed from 4 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday. In addition, traffic on Seventh during the daylight hours will be limited to one lane, and the “alcove” on the southern side of the street will be closed off during the entire four days.
The City will release more details about the event and traffic – and how to prepare for it – in the coming days.
BLINK – which runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday – is a free event that will turn Cincinnati and downtown Covington into an outdoor art museum with large-scale projection mapping installations (think intricate light designs on buildings and other structures), murals and immersive art.
Already, “towers” related to the event are appearing on Madison Avenue and some side streets.
For more about BLINK, see HERE.
Previously, Steve McGowan, owner and partner of Brave Berlin, one of the producers of BLINK, described the plans for the Suspension Bridge in this way: “Our concept is to make ‘the singing bridge’ … sing! We will focus on the most grand and predominant features of the bridge, including the anchorage, gateway towers, arches and spires. It is our goal to illuminate the river in a magic glimmer of color and reflection.”
During the hours the bridge is closed to cars, KYTC advised motorists from Kentucky going into Cincinnati to use the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge or head to Newport via the 4th Street/Veterans Bridge and cross the Ohio River on the Taylor-Southgate Bridge.
City of Covington
