Northbound I-471 reopens after Cincinnati bridge fire. Southbound lanes remain closed
This story was updated with additional information on Saturday.
After detailed safety inspections and bridge cleaning by the Ohio Department of Transportation and coordination with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Interstate 471 North has been reopened to traffic.
Officials announced the reopening of the northbound lanes around 9 p.m. Friday. Along with the mainline I-471 northbound reopening, Kentucky crews reopened the I-471 northbound entrance and exit ramps shortly after.
The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and both sides of Interstate 471 over the Ohio River were shut down for the morning commute after a massive fire early Friday.
On northbound I-471, only the far-left lane of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge remains closed, according to a statement from ODOT officials. Crews extended this single-lane closure from the bridge to near Memorial Parkway Saturday afternoon. The extension was done for the safety of motorists and construction crews.
Southbound lanes of I-471 remain closed
Southbound I-471 at the bridge crossing will remain closed until further notice. ODOT has expedited an emergency contract with Great Lakes Construction to repair the southbound approach to the bridge that connects Cincinnati to Newport, Kentucky.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead and find an alternate route. Official updates throughout this project can be found at transportation.ohio.gov/471fire, and live traffic updates are available in Kentucky from GoKY and OHGO in Ohio.
Fire closes Daniel Carter Beard Bridge: Here are other bridges to cross the Ohio River
How did the Cincinnati bridge fire start?
The blaze began at the Sawyer Point 1000 Hands Playground, which sits underneath the bridge, and was initially reported at 3:20 a.m., Cincinnati Fire Chief Frank McKinley said. The flames reached more than 40 feet and set fires on the bridge as well. Officials said about 60 firefighters were sent to fight the inferno.
“We haven’t ruled anything out,” McKinley said.
He added that the playground was full of wood and synthetic materials causing a fire that likely reached several thousand degrees. The ground was covered in a spongy synthetic mat, according to Rocky Merz at the Cincinnati Parks Department.
The small fires at the playground rekindled throughout the morning. There were open flames at the site as late as 9:30 a.m., about six hours after the initial blaze. McKinley said the fire was extinguished at 11 a.m.
What's the damage to the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge?
The massive fire caused significant damage to the Ohio approach to the bridge, which could take days or weeks to repair and will likely cost millions of dollars, according to Matt Bruning, the Ohio Department of Transportation press secretary.
"At least three beams will need to be replaced on that portion of the structure," Bruning said. A portion of the road deck and a sign truss will also need to be replaced.
Ohio traffic impacts and detours
ODOT is diverting southbound I-471 traffic from Ohio by way of I-71 and I-75 South. In addition, the following restrictions are in place in Downtown Cincinnati:
Liberty Street access to I-471 is closed.
Fifth 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.
Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive is closed under the approach.
Eastbound Pete Rose Way motorists may use Eggleston Street.
Westbound Riverside Drive (U.S. 52) should divert to Columbia Parkway (U.S. 50).
Amateur pickleball tournament still happening
Sawyer Point Park is closed for safety reasons following the fire, according to the Cincinnati Parks Department.
The Ohio Gold Cup Tournament will still happen this weekend, Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Sawyer Point pickleball courts, however. The courts are open only to tournament participants.
The courts will be closed to the general public all weekend.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Northbound Interstate 471 open after Ohio bridge fire
