NEWPORT — Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton, Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken and other officials will hold a ceremony next week formally closing the L&N Bridge between Cincinnati and Newport.

        The 129-year-old Ohio River span, which is being converted for pedestrian-only traffic, closed earlier this year.

        But with the Newport on the Levee opening this week, officials want to tout the $4 million conversion as a pathway between downtown Cincinnati and the new development — including the Levee and the Newport Aquarium — on the Kentucky side.

        The bridge will reopen next year to walkers, bikers and skaters. The project is being funded by Kentucky.

        “This is a significant project for Greater Cincinnati,” said Wally Pagan, president of Southbank Partners, the group overseeing development in Northern Kentucky's river cities.

        “This bridge links two significant entertainment areas of the region, Cincinnati's stadium district with the new Newport on the Levee leisure time area,” Mr. Pagan said.

        The ceremony is set for Oct. 11 at 11:30 a.m. and will feature Mr. Luken and Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli riding antique bicycles across the bridge.

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