NEWPORT -- The Shortway Bridge, a connection between Covington and Newport since its toll road days, is receiving its last rites.
Covington City commissioners approved a Corps of Engineers permit Tuesday night so a much needed new bridge can cross the Licking River floodwall. Construction of the new bridge is a matter of months away, meaning the days are numbered for the narrow, twisting bridge whose chipped paint reveals a rusty base.
"It's a vital connection between the two cities, between the two counties," Covington City Manager Greg Jarvis said.
Officials expect the bridge can be built with a minimal amount of traffic rerouting, since the new $10.9 million bridge will be alongside the existing one.
To some people, the bridge dating back to the early 1900s is a reminder of their own childhood or teen-age revelry. And others see tragedy in it.
"I won't miss it," said Lonnie Powers, who has lived a block away on Brighton Street for five years.
The 45-year-old remembers speeding across the bridge without paying the dime toll numerous times -- and getting caught once. The fine was either $10 or $15, but would have been $50 if it went to court, he said.
Once he wrecked a '63 Chevy going across at 100 mph, he said. He hit the right side of the bridge and bounced over to the left.
"I was just a kid myself back then," he said.
The bridge, which has curves in its approaches, is a claustrophobic's nightmare for passengers.
"I'd like to have a dollar for everybody's mirror that got knocked off going by," said Mike Hughes, 48, who has lived within a mile of the bridge in Newport for 15 years.
Mr. Hughes recalled two people who used to climb the bridge's superstructure and dive off the top.
Numerous boats and barges have hit the bridge as they passed under it, including one last week.
"It surprises me, the shape it's in, it doesn't fall down when they hit it," Mr. Hughes said.
The tolls alone are an interesting story. The bridge was owned by the Green Line transit system. For most years, the toll was a dime, but it rose to 20 cents by the time the state bought it in 1986 and then-Gov. Martha Layne Collins paid the last toll.
"You don't have to pay," toll booth worker Bernie Ross Jr. said on the day the bridge was opened. "Governor Collins has freed you from the toll."
Many people ignored the toll anyway, said Mr. Hughes and Mr. Powers. People would throw rocks, beer caps or pennies into the coin basket.
"My sister would throw a quarter in there and say they owed her a trip and a half," Mr. Hughes said. He remembers getting mad at some "Honest Johns" who'd pay with a $5 bill and wait for their change.
"I'll pay your dime, go on and get going," he said. Unlike his neighbor, Mr. Hughes never got caught skipping the toll.
Dr. Joe Gastright, a Covington historian, remembers paying a penny to walk across to see a friend in Newport.
The Shortway was built around the bridge it replaced at the same site, he said.
The bridge also saw its share of deaths, most recently in April. Ronnie Griffith, 19, of Latonia was killed when a stolen car he was the passenger in crossed into the opposite, westbound lane, jumped a metal guardrail and broke through a wooden fence.
The car plunged at least 25 feet to an alley below, bounced and smashed into Mr. Powers' tool shed.
Mr. Powers said he's shocked more people haven't been killed on the bridge.
"It doesn't take much to knock wood over," he said.
Instead of a toll taker, the men said, a detective should be on the bridge. The Covington side of the bridge is near one of that city's worst drug dealing locations.
"You can sit and watch the same traffic go by," Mr. Power said. "You know what it is."
The new bridge will put a turning lane a few feet from his home, in the current yard of a neighboring business. He'd prefer to see the bridge taken out altogether and rebuilt south to take out some of the traffic in the area.
"But what can I do," he said.
"Keep your toes off the curb," Mr. Hughes replied.
