Newport Southbank Bridge (Purple People Bridge)

Kentucky, Ohio

4 Reviews

View Trail Map
View Map
Print
Complete
Favorite
Send to App

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Newport Southbank Bridge (Purple People Bridge) Facts

States: Kentucky, Ohio
Counties: Campbell, Hamilton
Length: 0.5 miles
Trail end points: Pete Rose Way/US 52 (Cincinnati, OH) and 3rd St. and Saratoga St. (Newport, KY)
Trail surfaces: Concrete
Trail category: Rail-Trail
ID: 7747472

Newport Southbank Bridge (Purple People Bridge) Description

The Newport Southbank Bridge, commonly known as the Purple People Bridge due to its unique paint scheme, links the large Ohio city of Cincinnati with Newport, Kentucky, a medium-sized city rapidly becoming the entertainment hub of fast-growing Northern Kentucky. A $4 million restoration of the original railroad bridge over the Ohio River led to its reopening for walking and biking in 2003.

The bridge originally opened in 1872 as the Newport and Cincinnati Bridge, and was the first railroad bridge to connect Cincinnati and Kentucky. In 1896, the bridge was converted to accommodate streetcar, pedestrian and automobile traffic in separate lanes. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad purchased the bridge—not yet painted purple—in 1904, and the bridge was appropriately renamed the L&N Railroad Bridge. CSX (the L&N’s ultimate successor) ceased running trains on the bridge in 1987, and the bridge was closed to automobile traffic in 2001.

The Newport Southbank Bridge, as it was officially named after its reopening in 2003, is now the centerpiece of the Newport on the Levee development in Kentucky. The urban renewal project features a movie theater, bookstore, the Newport Aquarium and a host of restaurants and bars.

On the Cincinnati side, the bridge is an integral component of Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, both offering a variety of recreational amenities along the riverfront. U.S. Bank Arena and Great American Ball Park—home to MLB’s Cincinnati Reds—are a couple blocks west of the bridge approach along the Ohio River Trail.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking for the Purple People Bridge can be found in Cincinnati in several paid lots along Pete Rose Way/US 52 or on-street in downtown Cincinnati, a short distance away. In Newport, park in metered spaces on Riverboat Row under the bridge, in paid lots for Newport on the Levee or on city streets in the Mansion Hill neighborhood.

Newport Southbank Bridge (Purple People Bridge) Reviews

Nice experience.

I loved going over this bridge, both walking and jogging. Connects to the riverfront on both sides. Easy access to the stadiums and downtown Cincinnati. Lots of artwork on it. The bridge can actually be rented for special events!

A Must if You Are Riding the Ohio to Erie Trail

If you choose to ride the Ohio to Erie Trail route, especially if you are heading southbound, consider taking one short additional ride on the Newport Southbank Bridge. It is also known locally as the Purple People Bridge because of its lavender color and because it is not open to cars. The length of the trail is listed at 1/2 mile in length, so it will not take you very long to complete even an out and back ride on the bridge.

The payoff for riding this short trail is the opportunity to get some great pictures of the Cincinnati skyline and riverfront. In addition, on the other end of the bridge is the Newport Aquarium, a 20 screen AMC movie theater, and many restaurants and bars.

A Short Ride That Can be Crowded.

Lots of pedestrians walking across this bridge will slow a cyclist's progress. A must ride for southbound Ohio to Erie Trail riders to complete as part of their journey. Nice views of the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline. The few minutes it takes to cross and return are worth the effort.

use this one

Best option for crossing and ends right beside the Newport aquarium

Nearby Trails

Go Unlimited Today!

  • FREE Account
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Post your trail reviews
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Get a free map in the app!
Register for FREE
  •  
Purchase Unlimited

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.