CINCINNATI — Officials have announced that the northbound lanes are back open on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge between Kentucky and Ohio (Interstate 471) after a fire broke out underneath the bridge early Friday morning.

The far-left nortbound lane is still closed, and a release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Friday stated southbound I-471 at the bridge crossing would be closed until further notice. The release states that the Ohio Department of Transportation expedited an emergency contract with Great Lakes Construction for repairs.

What You Need To Know

  • A fire on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, which connects Kentucky and Ohio, closed the bridge Friday

  • Northbound lanes are back open, but southbound lanes of I-471 are blocked

  • The fire started on the Ohio side, near a playground in a park under the bridge

  • No word when the bridge will reopen to traffic headed south

Crews were also working to reopen entrance ramps to northbound I-471 Friday night.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said the fire happened under the bridge on the Ohio side of the span. Cincinnati Fire and EMS said the fire was under control. No injuries were reported. The fire broke out overnight near a playground in a Sawyer Point Park under the bridge.

The ramps from I-71 to I-471 southbound, and from U.S. 50 east to I-471 southbound in Ohio have also been closed.

In a news conference Friday, representatives from both KYTC and Ohio Department of Transportation said the goal is to get northbound side inspected first as they think there’s less damage there.

The southbound side will remain closed until further notice.

“We have some significant damage on the Ohio approach to the bridge,” said ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning. “At least three beams will need to be replaced on that portion’s structure. That will also necessitate the replacement of a portion of the bridge deck, and there's also a sign truss up there that was damaged in the fire, so that will need to be removed and replaced.

ODOT confirmed no vehicles were damaged and no hazardous materials were released that it knows of. 

Drivers are asked to plan and find an alternate route. Motorists are encouraged to check GoKY in Kentucky, and OHGO in Cincinnati for the latest traffic conditions.

ODOT said it is diverting southbound I-471 traffic "by way of I-71 and I-75 South" and has the following restrictions in downtown Cincinnati:

  • Liberty Street access to I-471 is closed
  • 5th Street access to I-471 is closed
  • 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)
 

The fire remains under investigation and the transportation departments said the cost for repairs could be in the millions.