Construction work on the expansion of Kentucky Route 9 through Newport's Westside has claimed part of Victoria Square Apartments.

The $8.7 million expansion is designed to improve connectivity through the city and extends Licking Pike to the Ohio River. In 2012, the Kentucky General Assembly awarded $26 million for the entire project which will connect Licking Pike to the Taylor Southgate Bridge creating a new 4-lane entrance to Newport and including two new roundabouts (one at the base of Veterans Bridge and one at the Taylor Southgate Bridge).

The current work is the second part of a 3-phase project and focuses on Fifth Street to the Taylor Southgate Bridge.

“This project is the next section of the realignment and widening of the KY 9 corridor in Newport,” said Rob Hans, Chief District Engineer for Department of Highways District 6, in Covington, in a statement. “When the entire corridor is complete, it will provide improved access to Newport as well as the Taylor Southgate Bridge.”

Prus Construction Company was awarded the low-bid contract of $8.7 million for this project.

This construction project will have an impact to several annual events such as the Flying Pig Marathon, Thanksgiving Day Race and other fun runs as well as pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Construction on the first section of the new alignment between 12th and 9th Streets is currently in progress and will be completed this fall.

When complete, the new road will have two lanes in each direction with sidewalks, bike lanes and limited on-street parking. The final phase, the middle portion tying all sections together, is expected to begin in 2017.

-Staff report

Photos submitted by Kyle Randall