Newport votes to help fund repairs to Purple People Bridge [Video]

NEWPORT, Ky. — The City of Newport has voted to pitch in toward the repairs needed to the Purple People Bridge, according to a press release.

The Newport Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to allocate $62,500 toward the repair of the pedestrian-only bridge, which stretches from Newport to Cincinnati.

The bridge has been closed since May when an official said someone called 911 after they “heard or saw a piece of the bridge pier — either concrete or sandstone — fall.”

“It’s like the quickest route going back and forth, especially when you’re walking and running, exercising,” said Newport resident Jamal Foster.

The Purple People Bridge is privately-owned, but the owners have said they’d need help to fund the repairs needed to reopen it to the public.

“It’s a costly endeavor and the bridge company doesn’t have the funds to continue to do the preventative maintenance necessary for something …