The first phase of a six-city walking and bike trail in Kentucky along the Ohio River is now open.
Southbank Partners President Jack Moreland says eventually the 11.5 mile trail called Riverfront Commons will extend from Ft. Thomas to Ludlow.
"People are beginning to want to come back to the urban core to live," says Moreland. "Apartments are being built... primarily for young professionals... They want to walk. They want to bike. They want to be close to amenities so they don't have to get in their cars and drive 30 miles to the mall."
Moreland says the trail should attract tourists as well because it will make it easier to move between attractions.
The first phase includes a path along the top of the Newport flood wall from I-471 to the Levee and a pedestrian bridge connecting it to the Purple People Bridge.
The $1.2 million price tag was funded using federal, state and local dollars.
