Newport Southbank Bridge Company has retained WSP USA to evaluate the status and safety of the Purple People Bridge. WSP will also determine the potential extent of repairs needed to reopen the crossing of the Ohio River between Newport and Cincinnati.
The pedestrian bridge has been closed to the public since 11 May, when a large stone fell into the Ohio River from a pier on the north bank of the river.
The 814m-long former rail bridge became a pedestrian walkway in 2006 following a US$4 million restoration. It is officially named the Newport Southbank Bridge but is widely known as the Purple People Bridge because of its colour, which was chosen after extensive public consultation.
