Bridge closings: The Purple People Bridge will close to pedestrians at 5 p.m. The Roebling Suspension Bridge and the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will close to vehicles and pedestrians at 6 p.m. The Taylor/Southgate Bridge will close to vehicles at 6 p.m. and pedestrians at 7:30 p.m. The southbound lane of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (I-471) will close at 8 p.m. Authorities try to keep the northbound lane of the bridge open during the event, but usually are forced to close it because of people parking illegally on the bridge. People who park on the bridge will be ticketed and towed. The I-471 exit ramps north and south to Route 8 will close at 7:30 p.m., unless safety dictates closing earlier. The Fourth Street Bridge from Covington to Newport will close to all traffic at 8 p.m.
Downtown Cincinnati street closings and parking: Streets south of Third Street to the Cincinnati riverfront is limited to pedestrians only, but Third Street and streets north will be open. Streets into Mount Adams will be closed at 6 p.m. Eastbound Columbia Parkway from Second Street and eastbound Fort Washington Way to Columbia Parkway and I-471 will close at 8 p.m. The Third Street exits from westbound Columbia Parkway and southbound I-71 will close at 9 p.m.
On-street parking will not be available south of Court Street after 11 a.m. Sunday. Parking is available in lots and garages north of Third Street and north and west of Paul Brown Stadium. Cash parking will be available in riverfront surface lots near Paul Brown Stadium on a limited first come, first served basis.
Covington street closings and parking: All streets north of Fourth Street and east of Madison Avenue will close to vehicles at 6 p.m. Madison Avenue will remain open to allow access to all parking lots and garages until they are full. Once they have reached capacity, Madison Avenue will also be closed at Fourth Street. Many streets between the riverfront and Fourth Street will be posted as no parking zones. Vehicles parked in those areas will be towed starting at 7 a.m. Sunday. Beginning at 2 p.m., access to Devou Park, Kenton Hills and the Bluffs will be restricted to residents and their guests only.
Newport street closings and parking: Many streets close early Sunday morning: Riverboat Row, Columbia Street below Fourth Street and Third Street westbound from York Street all close at 8 a.m. Third Street between York and Columbia streets becomes one-way east at 8 a.m. Cowens Drive, Monmouth Street from Third Street to 11th Street and 10th Street between Saratoga and York streets will close at 7:30 p.m. The Newport on the Levee garage will cost $5 until the price increases to $20 at 3 p.m. The Ford lot, located at Fourth and Columbia streets, will cost $20 all day. Lot B, directly east of the Levee garage, will cost $20 all day.
Buses: Metro will not provide shuttles to Riverfest this year but will be operating its normal schedule. Information: 513-621-4455, www.sorta.com.
Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) will provide Riverfest shuttles from two Park and Ride locations: Northern Kentucky University Lot E and Turfway Park in Florence. The fare is $6 for adults and free for children 45 inches and under, roundtrip, and exact fare is required.
NKU buses will drop off and pick up passengers at the intersection of Dave Cowens Drive and I-471 near the Port of Entry in Newport. Turfway buses will drop off and pick up passengers at the corner of Third and Scott streets in Covington.
Buses will begin leaving the Park and Rides at 4 p.m., with the last bus leaving each Park and Ride at 7:30 p.m. Buses will operate every 20-30 minutes, depending on passenger demand. Return Park and Ride service will begin immediately after of the fireworks. The last bus will leave 30 minutes after the end of the fireworks.
Anyone wanting to cross the river to Cincinnati can take the Southbank Shuttle, which will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Information: 859-331-8265, www.tankbus.org
