Of the nine bridges that span the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Kentucky, this is the only one that is purple. It is also the only bridge dedicated exclusively to pedestrian traffic. The bridge was built in 1872 to carry tracks for the L&N (Louisville and Nashville) Railroad. In recent years, after the railroad no longer needed the bridge, the municipal governments on either side renovated the bridge at a cost $4 million and God knows how many gallons of lavender paint. On April 25, 2003, the newly renovated Purple People Bridge opened to pedestrians, bicyclists, and skaters.
At 17-feet-wide and 2,670-feet-long (just over 1/2 mile) It is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in America. At the Ohio foot of the bridge is Sawyer Point, a Cincinnati riverfront park and venue for numerous festivals and special events. The southern end is in Newport, Kentucky, at that city's wonderful new entertainment complex, Newport on the Levee. The pedestrian bridge provides a seamless collection of dining, nightlife, festivals, parks, attractions and entertainment. The walk across the bridge offers splendid views of the river and the city skylines on either side.
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