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COVINGTON, Ky. – Milling and paving operations on W. Fourth Street in Covington are set to begin as part of a resurfacing project aimed at improving road safety for all users. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 6 announced that work will start tonight, June 5, from Garrard Street to Philadelphia Street.
The project is the result of a year-long collaboration between the city of Covington and KYTC, focusing on enhancing connectivity for various types of road users. "KYTC and the City have worked together over the past year to realize this realignment of Fourth Street," stated Elizabeth Wetzel, Covington Director of Special Projects & Inter-Governmental Affairs. She highlighted the addition of street trees and widened sidewalks alongside KYTC’s efforts to reduce vehicular lanes and introduce a new bike lane.
Work will take place overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., covering a stretch of 0.75 miles westward from Garrard Street to Philadelphia Street. During these hours, one lane will remain open, while two lanes will be maintained during non-working hours to minimize traffic disruptions.
"Our goal is to create safer roads for all users," said Bob Yeager, Chief District Engineer for KYTC District 6. He emphasized that the reconfiguration would enhance safety for bicyclists by reducing lane width for motorists.
The lane changes between Garrard and Johnson Streets will see vehicular lanes reduced from three to two, with widths narrowed from 12 feet to 11 feet. This engineering approach aims to slow down vehicles by creating leaner streets.
A dedicated bike lane will replace the current right lane on W. Fourth Street through this section, featuring a five-foot width with an additional two-foot buffer zone from vehicle traffic. The bike lane will accommodate westbound cyclists only.
To ensure clarity and safety during travel adjustments, both motorist and cyclist lanes will be clearly marked with updated signage reflecting the new traffic pattern.
The schedule may change due to weather or unforeseen events; updates can be accessed via District 6 Roadshow or Driving Northern Kentucky Progress websites.
