Press release: Reimagining Saratoga street: Newport seeks input on proposed protected bikeway

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NEWPORT, KY Imagine never having to deal with traffic when you ride your bike from the Purple People Bridge into the center of Newport. To realize that vision, Tri-State Trails is putting forward the Saratoga Street Bikeway project in collaboration with the City of Newport.

Three preliminary design options will be presented to the public at a project open house scheduled for Wednesday, August 6 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Campbell County Public Library’s Newport Branch. At 6:30 PM, the project team will give a quick project summary.

Public Open House for Saratoga Street Bikeway Wednesday, August 6, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.Newport Branch, Campbell County Public Library, 901 E 6th St, Newport, KY 41071https://tristatetrails.org/saratoga-street-bikeway/ is the project’s website.

The Saratoga Street Bikeway, which would run 0.7 miles from Third Street to Eleventh Street, would be a major cycling route in Newport that would connect locals, businesses, and tourists to important locations such as the Ohio Riverfront, the Riverfront Commons trail, Cincinnati’s CROWN trail network, and more. Establishing a connected, secure cycling path for individuals of all ages and abilities is one of the project’s main objectives. The improvement will contribute to a more lively Saratoga Street for all users of the route by segregating cycling from automobile traffic and enhancing walkability.

A shared-use path, a two-way protected bike lane, and one-way protected bike lanes on both sides of the roadway are the three design options that are presently being investigated. All three options are available on the project website, and each has special advantages. A bicycle-specific traffic signal, possibly the first of its kind in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is being examined at the junction of Third Street and Saratoga Street as part of the proposed modifications.

The Covington + Newport Bicycle Transportation Plan for 2024 listed Saratoga Street as a major priority. The project team is creating cost estimates for the suggested upgrades after examining the corridor’s current state and design limitations. A preferable design will be chosen with input from the general public.

According to Wade Johnston, Executive Director of Tri-State Trails, the Purple People Bridge is the most used trail facility in the Tri-State, with an average of about 1,900 users per day in 2023. By adding a secure bike route into Newport that enhances the bridge’s status as a famous regional link, our project seeks to build on that momentum.

Project boards, maps, and a survey for people to provide feedback to the project team will all be available at the open house. Everyone is welcome to come and join the discussion, regardless of whether they ride their bike every day or are simply interested in Saratoga Street’s future.

For more information and to access the online survey, visit https://tristatetrails.org/saratoga-street-bikeway/

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