Going to Riverfest? Here are all the road closures in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport

Riverfest, Greater Cincinnati's annual Labor Day celebration, returns this weekend.

Over 250,000 people are expected to swarm the banks of the Ohio River this Sunday for Riverfest and the Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks spectacular. Due to this, several roads and bridges in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport will close for the festivities and fireworks. Traffic will also be rerouted in various places.

Here's what you need to know about road closures this weekend.

Cincinnati traffic for Riverfest

The city of Cincinnati is closing several roads near and around the Ohio River to accommodate the crowds expected to watch the fireworks from the waterfront.

Access to the Cincinnati riverfront will be limited to pedestrians only. Third Street and all streets north of Third Street will be open so people can access points throughout Downtown.

Here's what will close:

• The Purple People Bridge will close.
• The Roebling Suspension Bridge and Taylor Southgate Bridge will close to vehicles and pedestrians at 6 p.m. However, pedestrians may cross on the west side of the Taylor Southgate Bridge until 7:30 p.m.
• The Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will close to vehicles at 6 p.m. and pedestrians at 8 p.m.
• Local access to I-471 (the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge) from Ohio will close at 7 p.m.
• The Third Street exit from westbound Columbia Parkway will close at 9 p.m.
• The Third Street exit from southbound I-71 will close at 9 p.m.

The actual timing of these closures may change based on traffic volume. Drivers are encouraged to reduce their speed, be cautious and use alternate routes when traveling around the event area.

Covington traffic for Riverfest

Here's what will close Sunday in Covington , according to the city:

• North of East Fourth Street, from Madison Avenue to the Licking River: All streets close at 6 p.m.
• Roebling Suspension Bridge: closes at 6 p.m.
• Clay Wade Bailey Bridge: closes to vehicles at 6 p.m., then pedestrians at 8 p.m.
• Fourth Street Bridge to Newport: closes at 8 p.m.
• Madison Avenue: Parking lots and parking garages open until they are full or until 6 p.m. It then closes to through traffic north of Fourth Street, except for TANK buses, Metropolitan Club invitation holders and hotel guests.
• Devou Park, Kenton Hills and The Bluffs: Starting at 2 p.m., access to those areas will be restricted to residents and their guests.
• Impact Area: Streets inside the area will not reopen, and vehicles cannot exit the Impact Area until pedestrians are safely cleared out and the Covington Police determine it is safe to reopen. This may take up to an hour after the conclusion of the fireworks.

Newport traffic for Riverfest on Sunday

Here's what to expect with road closures and other rules in Newport on Sunday:

• Riverboat Row, west of port entry to Dave Cowens Drive: closes at 8 a.m.
• Columbia Street, north of Fourth Street: closes at 8 a.m.
• Purple People Bridge: closes at 8 a.m. and will reopen at 2 a.m. on Monday.
• Taylor Southgate Bridge: closes to vehicles at 6 p.m. and pedestrians at 7:30 p.m.
• Monmouth Street (Third to 11th Streets): Closes at 7:30 p.m. No parking on Monmouth Street after 6:30 p.m.
• Dave Cowens Drive: closes at 7:30 p.m.
• I-471 ramps to Route 8 (Exit 5) both north and south: close at 7:30 p.m.
• 10th Street, between Saratoga and York Streets: closes at 7:30 p.m.
• Fourth Street Bridge: closes at 8:30 p.m.
• All other I-471 ramps: close at 8:30 p.m.
• Licking Pike (Route 9), north of Aspen Drive: closes at 9 p.m.
• I-471 North will remain open during the event unless the motorist's safety determines it needs to be closed.

Here's what to know if you're leaving Newport after Riverfest:

• All traffic leaving the event will be routed to I-471 or I-275. If you're directed to a route you are not wanting to take, continue to the route as instructed. Once you're on the interstate, just take any exit to be turned around. The street closures and large traffic may mean you can't take the direct route to your destination.
• At approximately 9 p.m., Monmouth Street will reopen and become a one-way street going south, sending all traffic to I-471.
• All traffic west of York Street will be directed south to 12th Street, which will become a one-way street going west and sending all traffic to I-275.
• After the event, all traffic near Dave Cowens Drive (Route 8) will be sent to I-471 North or South.
• All traffic leaving the event area going south on Columbia Street must make a right on West Third Street. A right turn will take you around the Fourth Street roundabout, where you will be directed toward Wilder.
• Once Covington Police opens its side of the Fourth Street Bridge, traffic can travel west through Covington.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Going to Riverfest? Here are all the road closures in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport