Which roads will close for Blink? A list of Cincinnati, NKY closures for this week
Blink Cincinnati is returning to get things lit in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky this week.
The massive art, light and projection mapping festival takes place Oct. 17-20, featuring over 80 installations that will span more than 30 blocks in Cincinnati, Newport and Covington.
The festival's official map identifies each and every installation and will be your guiding star for navigating Blink's six zones (The Banks, Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Findlay Market, Covington and Newport) by foot.
But how can you navigate the event by car? Keep an eye out for these road closures in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Some started Monday, Oct. 14, and several last through Monday, Oct. 21.
As of Tuesday, the cities of Cincinnati and Covington had released road closures. The Enquirer is awaiting information from the city of Newport.
Which streets are closed for Blink?
Cincinnati road closures
The city of Cincinnati released a list of road closures Oct. 11. The following streets closed ahead of the start of Blink:
Plum Street: Closed between Eighth Street and Ninth Street from Monday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at 6 a.m.
Court Street: Closed between Walnut Street and Vine Street from Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 9 a.m.Monday, Oct. 21, at 5 a.m.
Jackson Street: Closed between 12th Street and 13th Street from Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at 5 a.m.
Freedom Way: Closed between Rosa Parks Street and Marian Spencer Way from Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at 5 a.m.
These streets will close for the Blink parade at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, and will remain closed until about 10 p.m. that night:
West Pete Rose Way: Closed between Mehring Way and Central Avenue (closes at 4 p.m. for staging).
Rose Street: Closed between Mehring Way and West Pete Rose Way (closes at 4 p.m. for staging).
Smith Street: Closed between Mehring Way and West Pete Rose Way (closes at 4 p.m. for staging).
Mehring Way: Closed between Gest Street and East Pete Rose Way.
Gest Street - southbound: Closed between Third Street and Mehring Way.
Central Avenue: Closed south of Third Street (northbound Central Avenue remains open north of West Pete Rose Way).
Elm Street: Closed south of Second Street.
Race Street: Closed south of Second Street (garage access maintained).
Rosa Parks Street: Closed south of Second Street (garage access maintained).
Marian Spencer Way: Closed south of Second Street (garage access maintained).
Joe Nuxhall Way: Closed south of Second Street (garage and hotel access maintained).
Suspension Bridge: Closed.
Ramp LL: Closed.
Johnny Bench Way: Closed.
East Pete Rose Way: Closed west of Broadway.
These streets will close from 7-11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-20:
North-south streets:
Elm Street: Closed between Central Parkway and Findlay Street (Liberty Street open for east-west traffic).
Race Street: Closed between Central Parkway and Findlay Street (Liberty Street open for east-west traffic).
Vine Street: Closed between Third Street and Central Parkway (Third Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street and Ninth Street will be open for east-west traffic).
Walnut Street: Closed between Third Street and Central Parkway (Third Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street and Ninth Street will be open for east-west traffic).
Main Street: Closed between Second Street and 12th Street (Second Street, Third Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, Ninth Street and Central Parkway will be open for east-west traffic).
Jackson Street: Closed between 12th Street and Central Parkway.
East-west streets:
Fourth Street: Restricted between Main Street and Race Street. The street may close due to crowd congestion.
Seventh Street: Restricted between Main Street and Race Street. The street may close due to crowd congestion.
Charles Street: Closed between Central Parkway and Elm Street.
Closed to through traffic between Main Street and Central Parkway.
: Closed between Central Parkway and Race Street.
Grant Street: Closed to through traffic between Central Parkway and Elm Street.
Magnolia Street: Closed to through traffic between Central Parkway and Elm Street.
Odeon Street: Closed to through traffic between Central Parkway and Elm Street.
Wade Street: Closed to through traffic between Central Parkway and Elm Street.
Green Street: Closed to through traffic between Vine Street and Elm Street.
Elder Street: Closed between Vine Street and Central Parkway.
Court Street: Close between Race Street and Vine Street.
Freedom Way: Closed between Race Street and Marian Spencer Way.
Other:
Fifth Street ramp from southbound I-75: Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30-11 p.m.
Suspension Bridge: Closed 7-11 p.m. nightly.
Covington road closures
The city of Covington released the following Blink road closures, effective Monday, Oct. 14, at 8 a.m. through Monday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.
Court Street: Closed between Third and Fourth streets.
Park Place: Closed between Scott and Greenup streets.
The following roads will close nightly throughout Blink, from Thursday Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 20, from 6:30-11:30 p.m.
Third Street: Closed from Scott Street to Greenup Street.
Crawford Alley: Closed from Ziegler Way to Fifth Street.
Crawford Alley: Closed from Fifth Street to Sixth Street.
Clinton Alley: Closed from Madison Avenue to Crawford Alley.
Pike Street: Closed from Madison Avenue to Washington Avenue.
The following road will close for Blink at Braxton Brewing Co. from Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7 a.m. through Monday, Oct. 21 at noon.
West Seventh Street: Closed from Madison Avenue to Washington Avenue.
Can pedestrians cross the Roebling Bridge?
Attendees can cross back and forth from Cincinnati to Covington using the Roebling Suspension Bridge. The bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic during the entire event, Oct. 17-20 from 7-11 p.m.
When is the Blink parade?
The opening ceremony and parade begins at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17.
Blink Cincinnati 2024 parade route
The Blink Parade starts on West Mehring Way by Paycor Stadium and continues along the riverfront to Barry Larkin Way, ending near Great American Ball Park.
