Newport commissioners have officially taken ownership of the Purple People Bridge over the Ohio River. At a regularly scheduled session Monday evening, commissioners approved a resolution accepting control from Southbank Partners.

Newport and the nonprofit economic development group were partners in the Purple People Bridge Company, which steered use of the span.

Newport Economic Development Coordinator John Willis says the plan is to keep it open to pedestrians and cyclists.

“We do know that there are some structural issues on the bridge. There’s currently temporary shoring towers that are just adding additional support over on the Cincinnati side of the bridge,” he says. “I can say that we’ve already worked to set up meetings with the city of Cincinnati’s engineering team. We’re worki

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