Licking River Bridges


The first suspension bridge over the Licking from Covington to Newport cost $80,000, opened December 23, 1853, and collapsed January 16, 1854 under vibration from cattle crossing it.	Or, maybe the first bridge was this very early covered bridge


Newport, 1930 Flood This bridge is a forerunner to the current span over the Licking River between Covington and Newport The bridge end's on Patterson, between 4th and 5th Streets.	"This strange truss bridge was built at some unknown date to replace the 1854 suspension bridge (probably 1880/90), and was itself replaced at some date by the existing bridge (c. 1935)." Thanks to Dr. Joseph Gastright for this info

Licking River Bridge

I think this postcard lies. It says it's a Licking River Bridge between Covington and Newport, but it's not the Memorial Bridge, it's not the forerunner to Memorial, it's not the Shortway or the successor to the Shortway, and it's neither of the railroad bridges. The style of the card is going to be c. 1910. And what's with that stone wall in the foreground?

“The old sycamore tree t the west end of the Newport and Covington Bridge, which has withstood the storms of probably three hundred years, as well as the floods of the Licking River during the period, was washed away by the recent freshet in that turbulent stream. It was a familiar landmark to many, and it will be missed.” From the Covington Journal, April 13, 1872


The 4th Street Bridge, from Covington, 1909. That's a toll house on the right.	Newport-Covington Bridge, 1908	Memorial Bridge, from Newport


The first attempt to build a bridge over the Licking at 11th Street collapsed, killing 40. The Enquirer's story is here.	Short Way Bridge opened on December 18, 1892.	Replacing the Short Way Bridge, taken from Newport side


Route 8 Bridge, Mile 0.3.	12th Street Bridge, 0.9 miles	L & N and Pipeline Bridges, 3.0 miles


C & O Railroad Bridge Across the Licking That's Covington's St. Ben's in the far distant right	L & N Bridge over the Licking

"The reconstruction of the bridge over the Licking River was authorized in December, 1924, in order to provide for the movement of heavier locomotives between DeCoursey, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio. This work was commenced in February, 1925, and it is expected that it will be completed during the year." L & N Annual Report, 1924