COVINGTON, Ky. — The City of Covington has secured more than $4 million in federal transportation funds to support roadway and pedestrian improvements to portions of Winston Avenue in Latonia, marking an important step toward improving one of the City's key transportation corridors. 

The funding is appropriated through a highly competitive grant program managed by the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments. The program, known as the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), invests millions of dollars annually in projects that preserve and improve transportation infrastructure.  

Efforts by the City of Covington’s administration to secure the grant began earlier this year, and the award represents a significant investment in roadway improvements, including the development of a shared-use path designed to enhance safety and accessibility for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. 

“This grant is a significant investment in Latonia and an important step toward making Winston Avenue safer for all residents,” Mayor Ron Washington said. “I asked City staff to pursue federal funding grants to address the City’s infrastructure needs while reducing the burden on local taxpayers. Securing more than $4 million is a major breakthrough, but our work is not done; we will continue working with our partners to secure additional funding for the state route and accelerate these much-needed improvements.” 

The $4.1 million federal investment will cover approximately 80 percent of the project's estimated $5.1 million cost, including design, property acquisition, and construction. The City will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent. 

While the grant will support improvements along more than half of Covington's portion of Winston Avenue south of Ritte's Corner, additional funding will be needed to complete improvements south of 43rd Street. Under the current federal funding schedule, construction dollars will not become available for approximately three years. 

Recognizing the importance of improvements throughout the Winston Avenue/ KY 16 corridor, the City will continue working with regional and state partners, including the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, to identify additional funding opportunities and pursue an accelerated construction timeline.