CINCINNATI — A timeline could be available for construction of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge southbound I-471 to be finished by early next week, according to the latest update from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
ODOT said the concrete footers poured by crews on Friday were allowed to harden over the weekend and became the support base for the shoring towers to be erected on Monday. The goal is to have these six shoring towers constructed by the end of the week.
Once these are stable and in place, inspectors will be able to assess the damage and determine the full extent of repairs. Spokesperson Kathleen Fuller said ODOT expects to announce a construction schedule by Friday or early next week.
The southbound lanes of the Big Mac Bridge have been closed since Nov. 1, when a fire at the 1,000 Hands Playground at Sawyer Point Park burned part of the bridge. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a state of emergency last week “due to the dangerous conditions and damage caused.”
Officials closed off the area under the bridge, including Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive and a portion of Sawyer Point Park. A pedestrian detour is in place along the Ohio River and the southern edge of the park.
People driving eastbound on Pete Rose Way can continue to Eggleston Street, but ODOT warns of traffic congestion at the intersection. Westbound drivers can reach the Adams Place condominium building. Direct transportation is available via Collins Avenue and William Howard Taft Road to Columbia Parkway.
Here is the complete list of downtown closures:
Liberty Street access to I-471 is closed. Fifth Street access to Interstate 471 is closed. US 50 East and West access to Interstate 471 is closed. (US 50 remains open to traffic.) Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive is closed during the approach. Motorists on eastbound Pete Rose Way can use Eggleston Street. Westbound Riverside Drive (US 52) must be detoured to Columbia Parkway (US 50). The parking lot under the bridge approach adjacent to Pete Rose Way is closed. The northern footpath of Pete Rose Way between Eggleston and Kilgour is closed.
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