Ky. 9/AA highway extension through Newport opened to drivers

Chris Mayhew | Cincinnati Enquirer

Show Caption Hide Caption Hey, Cincinnati, here's how you merge When confronted with lane closures and heavy highway traffic, using a zipper merge is the best way to keep traffic moving.

NEWPORT – Traffic was light enough Wednesday morning on the new four-lane highway through Newport that crickets chirping was often the loudest sound to be heard.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced the opening of the new 1.4-mile extension of Ky. 9/AA Highway on Facebook early Wednesday morning.

The extension continues the multi-lane highway through the western edge of Newport to a roundabout at the base of the Taylor-Southgate Bridge near Newport on the Levee.

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The new highway provides a multi-line highway alternate from the I-275 Wilder exit to an Ohio River bridge crossing to Cincinnati if drivers want to avoid I-471.

The new highway features an additional parking lane on the north end of Ky. 9 near Campbell County's courthouse and Hampton Inn & Suites. The extra lane is protected from traffic by an about 3-foot-wide concrete median strip. Ornate black lamp posts are in the middle of the median in an area where the speed limit dips from 35 mph to 25 mph.