Associated Press - November 27, 2009 8:45 AM ET

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) - An organization that maintains the lights on the Roebling Suspension Bridge that spans the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington, Ky., is asking local school children to help raise money for new strands of lights.

The Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee is hoping to raise about $450,000 for the lighting and maintenance.

The aging lighting system will be switched off on Dec. 7 so they can be removed and crews can add a new coat of blue paint to the bridge. The 140-year-old span was last fully painted in 1976.

The group's director, Bob Armstrong, says students have an emotional connection with the bridge as a symbol for Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. He plans to take his plea for funding to corporations and schoolchildren.

Information from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com

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