The Purple People Bridge, Newport, Kentucky

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The original name of the Purple People Bridge is the Newport & Cincinnati Bridge which was built in 1872. At 1/2 mile long, this was the first railroad bridge to span the Ohio River. Over the next 35 years the trains using this bridge shared it with streetcars, automobiles and pedestrians. In 1904 it was renamed the Louisville and Nashville or L & N Railroad Bridge.
In 2001 the L & N Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places but was also closed to all forms of traffic after declining over several decades.
Also in 2001 the City of Newport, Kentucky along with an economic development group using state funding restored the bridge to its former stature. It was renamed the Newport South Bank Bridge and based on community input, the bridge was painted purple. Today the people north and south of the Ohio River simply call it the Purple People Bridge. Closed to all forms of vehicular traffic the Purple People Bridge welcomes walkers, joggers, cyclists, inline skaters, babies in strollers, people in wheelchairs, musicians, strolling couples and leashed pets with their people friends. There are benches to rest on, views of the magnificent Cincinnati skyline, northern Kentucky and of course the mighty Ohio River. The bridge is wide enough to accommodate festivals and private events.
In 2006 & 2007 it was possible to cross the bridge via its superstructure climbing all the way to the top most arc wearing safety gear while enjoying the spectacular views. But low attendance and lack of funds ended that particular event on the bridge. Over 400,000 people visit and take walks across the bridge annually.
GPS Location: 39°05'52.3"N 84°29'51.1"W

[@hakeemsd70m]

Cincinnati owes a lot of it's 20th Century development to rail traffic over the Louisville and Nashville Bridge on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, now a part of CSX Transportation. The standard gauge railroad track ran on the eastside of the bridge facing present-day Big Mac. The original track section remains. Very cool. I love learning about the history of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

[@TRPrecht]

I know it seems a tad nitpicky and OCD, but as a former Boy Scout, when ever someone use the colloquialism Bic Mac Bridge, I try to inform (or remind) that the name of the bridge is actually the Daniel Carter Beard Memorial Bridge. There was once a nice placard and small park commemorating the bridge and it's name-sake, however it was torn down to build the Comfort Inn.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

I did not know this, thanks!

[@ryana9796]

It could be cool if they restored the rail track part of the bridge to expand the streetcar. So interesting to learn about the history of these famous landmarks.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

That would be a good idea!

[@adanjunior]

wow.. I was there in 1992 and the bridge it was different. I need to go back to Cincinnati. What!🙌🙌🙌

[@paultempleton2803]

Yes you should. There has been a lot of changes since 92

[@WILLIAMSMCHAD]

back when i was a kid the train that went on this bridge went right down the middle of Saratoga street . not barriers or nothing LOL

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

I remember that...

[@Zacmario66]

The purple people of Kentucky :0

[@chrisj197438]

She is super cute!!!

[@corbincowgirl]

Actually the community was my 6th grade class I come up with the color and the name the rest of my çlass agreed In Mrs Ashleys HR

[@jamesrobertson9597]

You came up with the Purple People Bridge? That's awesome!

[@WILLIAMSMCHAD]

THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER

[@danielmarsala849]

Newport

[@maxxfatal]

Why are you yelling?