There’s something special about gathering on the Purple People Bridge on a spring morning; coffee in hand, bikes rolling in, friends and neighbors catching up as the sun rises over the Ohio River.

And this year, that moment still stands.

The 17th Annual Breakfast on the Bridge is happening as planned:
Friday, May 15 | 7–9 AM | Newport side of the bridge

But getting there, and getting where you’re going after, will look a little different.

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A Temporary Detour for a Long-Term Investment

Just weeks before Bike Month, the City of Newport announced that long-awaited, permanent repairs to the Cincinnati approach of the bridge will begin April 27, with a full closure of that access point from May 4 through June 8.

While that timing isn’t ideal for our event, it represents something important: progress.

After years of temporary fixes, including a shoring tower that supported the bridge for more than two years and a nearly six-month closure in 2024, the City is moving forward with a lasting structural solution that will ensure the bridge remains safe and accessible for years to come.

Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli shared it best: this is a shift from short-term repairs to long-term stability.

We’re grateful to the City of Newport and their partners for making this investment, and for prioritizing the safety of hundreds of thousands of people who walk, run, and ride across the bridge each year.

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What This Means for Breakfast on the Bridge

The event is still on. Same time. Same location. Same community energy.

But:

• The Cincinnati-side access to the bridge will be closed
• Participants coming from Cincinnati will need to use a detour. We recommend using the east side of the Taylor–Southgate Bridge.
• Everyone should plan for alternate routes to get to work, school, or wherever the day takes them afterward.

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Plan Your Route

Start with the Low-Stress Bike Map

Our Low-Stress Bike Map is designed to help you find comfortable, connected routes across the region. Whether you’re riding solo or organizing a group ride, it’s the best place to start when mapping out your trip.

Explore the Low-Stress Bike Map and plan your route

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Try a Suggested Route from Downtown Cincinnati

Coming from downtown? We’ve mapped a suggested route from Washington Park to the Newport side of the bridge to help you navigate the closure with confidence. Use the Eggelston multi-use path for north-south routes.

View our detour route from Washington Park to Breakfast on the Bridge

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A Few Tips Before You Ride

This year might look a little different, but it’s also a chance to explore new connections and experience the region in a new way.

• Give yourself extra time to navigate detours
• Ride with a friend or group. It’s more fun and easier to follow new routes together
• Consider going multi-modal with Cincinnati Metro or TANK

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Why It’s Worth It

This bridge matters. It connects two states, multiple trail systems, and countless people: commuters, families, runners, and riders, every single day. These improvements reflect what we already know: the Purple People Bridge is more than a crossing. It’s a regional asset.

And this moment of inconvenience comes with meaningful investment:

• Permanent structural repairs to ensure long-term stability
• A $2 million state investment in new, dynamic, color-changing LED lighting
• Continued support from regional partners is helping move the project forward faster

Learn more about the long-term repairs and $2 million lighting upgrade planned for the Purple People Bridge in this LINK NKY article.

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