KYTC & TANK Partnership to Provide Shuttle Service for KY 8 Licking River Bridge Replacement Project
Shuttle will provide vital access to jobs and other resources for people of Covington and Newport
A partnership was announced today that will enhance connectivity during a bridge replacement project that will introduce a better, safer connection between Covington and Newport. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) will partner to provide accommodations for safe passage during the construction of the KY 8 Licking River Bridge Replacement Project.
The shuttle service is intended to provide a viable transportation option for those who rely on the KY 8 Licking River Bridge for pedestrian and bicycle crossing. This service will focus on providing a connection to basic and essential needs for these commuters – like daycare, employment and groceries.
“Partnering with TANK is just another example of our continued commitment to being good neighbors in the communities we serve.” KYTC District 6 Chief District Engineer Bob Yeager said. “This exciting partnership will provide a much higher level of service, credibility, reliability and familiarity for the users we aim to serve. We’re calling this project service the “Licking River Link”.
Closing the bridge to all traffic in January 2026 is expected to save approximately one year off the construction timeline. Expediting the reopening of this vital bridge crossing is a priority.
KYTC conducted several studies to determine when, and how, the bridge is used by pedestrians and bicyclists. This input, along with collaboration from the cities of Newport and Covington, along with TANK, provided valuable data on effective stop locations and the frequency of stops needed to accommodate the shuttle.
“We are excited to partner with KYTC to bring this much-needed service to our community and provide a connection to jobs and critical services. At TANK, we take our responsibility of providing safe, reliable transportation seriously and are committed to provide this critical service while the bridge is closed,” stated Gina Douthat, TANK General Manager. “This will be the first time in many years that TANK has operated a direct bus route between Covington and Newport, which will give us an opportunity to monitor demand for the future.”
The shuttle vehicle will feature an installed bike rack to encourage first and last-mile mobility connections for riders. The bus will also provide wheelchair accessibility.
Bus Route & Stop Locations
TANK will operate this shuttle as a public bus route and will come at no cost to riders. The route will loop in one direction due to Scott/Greenup Streets in Covington being one-way.
The bus will stop at the following locations along the route:
- In Newport:
- Central Avenue at 10th Street
- Central Avenue at 8th Street
- Isabella Street at 6th Street
- Isabella Street at 9th Street
- In Covington:
- Greenup Street at 9th Street
- Greenup Street at 5th Street
- Scott Street at 6th Street
- Scott Street at 11th Street
Hours of Operation
The route will operate seven days a week:
- Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Weekends: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The shuttle will complete a loop once every 30 minutes during operating hours. This shuttle will begin operating daily from January 2026 through Summer 2028).
More information about the hours of operation and bus route can be found on the project website here Licking River Link – Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky