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AFTER MORE THAN 150 YEARS, ONE -- ONE OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN ICONS IN THE REGION. A NEW STUDY REVEALED A MAINTENANCE PROJECT HAS GONE FROM MINOR TO MAJOR. HERE IS THE NEW TIMELINE. THIS SUMMER, WORK BEGINS ON THE OHIO SIDE OF THE BRIDGE THAT WILL BRING PERIODIC LANE CLOSURES. THE BIGGEST PART OF THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT FEBRUARY. THAT IS WHEN THE BRIDGE TRAFFIC WILL CLOSE FOR ABOUT NINE MONTHS. >> THERE IS NO WAY TO SUGARCOAT IT. BRIAN: FOR SOME THE ROLE OF THE ROEBLING IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AS IT IS ABOUT THE FLOW OF MONEY. HE SAYS ALL OF THE BUSINESSES NEAR THE BRIDGE ARE ON EDGE ABOUT THE PROJECT. CLUBS IT HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE BUSINESSES. BRIAN: THE HISTORY OF THE ROEBLING IS WELL DOCUMENTED, IT’S THE FUTURE THAT’S STILL BEING WRITTEN. IT LOOKS LIKE FOR BOTH PROJECTS THIS SUMMER THEN THE 9 MONTH ONE NEXT FEBRUARY. THEY’RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP AT LEAST ONE SIDEWALK OPE WE TALKED TO THE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THEY SAY THAT IS A MAJOR KEY IN THIS ENTIRE THING TO KEEPING THE BUSINES

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Results of a new study show damage to the Roebling Suspension Bridge so much more extensive than first believed, the planned project to fix the bridge will need be expanded two to three times and include a nine-month shutdown."The work was more extensive than we initially anticipated," said Kentucky Transportation chief district engineer Bob Yeager. "So, a project that we thought would be a couple of million dollars is now up around $8 million or $9 million."The first phase of the plan is expected to begin in July with work on the Ohio side of the bridge. It will address some issues underneath the bridge in Smale Park.The next phase of the project will require the bridge to be closed for nine months beginning in February 2021.That part of the project will fix issues with the north tower and rocks that fell onto the roadway from about 80 feet up.During both phases, at least one sidewalk is expected to remain open."It will be difficult; there's no way to sugar coat it," said Covington Business Council executive director Pat Frew.About 200 people attended a business council luncheon Thursday to get a glimpse of the new plan."It's going to have a negative impact to not have the Roebling bridge," said Dan Cronican, who was representing Keystone Bar and Grill at the meeting.Keystone and other businesses in Roebling Point, which is at the end of the bridge in Covington, have felt the financial impact when the bridge has been closed in the past."When that's not available, it definitely has an impact on the businesses," Cronican said.