Bridge closure leads to traffic delays

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The closure of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge is already causing travel delays.

The bridge carrying I-471 between Ohio and Kentucky caught fire early Friday morning, causing a shutdown expected to last weeks.

The closure is already impacting drivers and businesses in the area.

“I immediately thought, 'How are we going to get around?' “It's completely changed the way we're going to navigate this city,” said Andrea Straus, a downtown Cincinnati resident. “We’re just now realizing how it will change our lives in downtown Cincinnati.”

The closure forced many to use the Taylor Southgate Bridge, causing more traffic congestion. Sawyer Point Park was closed so emergency crews could investigate the cause of the fire and ensure people could stay nearby.

An amateur pickleball tournament is scheduled for this weekend at Sawyer Point. Park officials said the tournament will go ahead as planned, but the courts will be closed to public play on Saturday and Sunday.

Local businesses are also feeling the impact. The Montgomery Inn Boathouse remains open but is only accessible via Columbia Parkway.

“A lot of people take (the bridge) to come here, you know, the things in Cincinnati, you know, the Bengals games, all the restaurants in downtown Cincinnati to go to, you know, we're one of them. So, I hope everyone isn't too affected by this and still wants to come and enjoy a great dinner,” said Tag Gregory, Manager of the Montgomery Inn Boathouse.

Newport experienced an increase in traffic on Friday due to road closures. Treon Beck, manager of Shiners on the Levee, said it may be too early to know what the long-term impact might be.

“I think a lot of the community, particularly in the Newport area, is going to be facing a lot of delays and a lot of commute,” Beck said. “I think some businesses will be slightly affected by this.”

Straus pointed out the difference between this closure and typical street closures for events.

“Our road closures for all the festivals and even the marathons and everything like that will end in one day or three days if it's a weekend. This won't end; it will last,” Straus said. “We need to readjust the way we think about how we get around and how we use this city.”

Traffic disruptions and detours in Ohio:

• Access to I-471 via Liberty Street is closed.
• Access to I-471 via 5th Street is closed.
• P. 50 east and west access to I-471 is closed. (US 50 remains open to through traffic.)
• Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive is closed below the driveway.
• Motorists traveling eastbound on Pete Rose Way can use Eggleston Street.
• Westbound Riverside Drive (US 52) was scheduled to be rerouted to Columbia Parkway (US 50).

Traffic disruptions and detours in Kentucky:

All northbound lanes of I-471 are closed at the I-275 interchange. Motorists are advised to use I-275 eastbound or westbound for a detour.

Below is a list of additional traffic impacts in Kentucky. Northbound I-471 on/off ramps remain closed at these locations:

• Alexandria Pike exit (US 27).
• Exit Grand Avenue (KY 1892).
• Memorial Parkway exit (KY 1120).
• Dave Cowens Drive exit (KY 8X).