CINCINNATI — After more than one-and-a-half months, all northbound lanes of I-471 on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge could be open by the end of the week, the Ohio Department of Transportation said in a press release.
ODOT sent out an update, saying its working on installing a new vandal protection fence on top of the recently poured concrete wall of northbound I-471, which would replace the 70 feet of damanged wall from the fire. Once the wall is cured and the fence is in place, ODOT said it'll begin removing the work zone and reopening all northbound lanes, with the goal of that happening by the end of the week.
Additionally, ODOT crews poured new pier cap pedestals that will support the girders. ODOT said some of the damaged girders have been sent to Washington, D.C. to be tested to better understand why they failed, and how to improve girders moving forward.
A fire broke out on Nov. 1, damaging both the southbound lanes of the bridge and the playground underneath, known as Sawyer Point Park. That day, all lanes were closed until the afternoon when the northbound lanes reopened, except one which remains closed. Nobody was injured in the fire, authorities said.
Four people have been charged in connection to the fire.
Ohio
Southbound I-471 remains closed at the bridge crossing in Ohio until further notice. Traffic is being diverted by I-71 and I-75 south. Semi-trucks are encouraged to use I-275 to I-71/75. HAZMAT operators must follow the I-275 outerbelt.
Road restrictions in downtown Cincinnati include:
- Liberty Street access to I-471 is closed
- 5th Street access to I-471 is closed
- U.S. 50 East and West access to I-471 is closed (U.S. 50 remains open to thru traffic)
Kentucky
A single-lane closure is in effect on I-471 North beginning at the 3.6-mile marker near Memorial Parkway and continuing across the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.
More information on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge construction updates can be found here.
