New river trails, better roads coming to Covington

More paved trails along the Licking River in Covington are part of one of four projects paid for by $500,000 in grants received by the city, officials announced.

The money is coming from the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments and will pay for more of the Licking River Greenway Trail, reconstruction of parts of Latonia Avenue and Johnsons Street and replacement of sidewalks by Covington's Sixth District Elementary.

"That is significant, and allows us to do a lot of good things," said Mayor Sherry Carran.

Perhaps the most high-profile portion will be the extension of the Licking River Greenway. Covington already has about five miles of trails along the Licking River, including 1.5 miles nature trail, a mile of paved path from Holmes High School to Clayton Meyer Park, and about 2.5 miles of paths using the floodwall and existing streets.

OKI granted Covington $134,000 to build an 8-foot wide walking and biking path along the Licking River from Thomas Street to East 15th Street. Construction should begin this winter or spring 2016. It will also include a pedestrian bridge that will go over top the 16th Street floodwall gate.

"I will tell you that you don't often get a $100,000 for a trail project," said Natalie Gardner, programs and strategic projects manager for Covington.

The other projects will be:

Latonia Avenue reconstruction: OKI granted $628,000 for reconstruction of 1,500 feet of Latonia Avenue from Southern Avenue to just east of West 36th Street.

Johnson Street reconstruction: Near Covington's floodwall, this portion of roadway will become more pedestrian and handicapped friendly, officials said. OKI granted $712,800 for reconstruction of 1,110 feet of Johnson Street, including widening the sidewalks.

Sixth District Elementary sidewalks: Better handicapped-accessible curb ramps, new stop bars and crosswalks and new school crossing signs will go within a one-mile radius of Sixth District Elementary thanks to a $207,433 grant from OKI.