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    robodog at work, more closures

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    Five days after a massive fire damaged the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, forcing the complete closure of Interstate 471 and nearby roads, repair work on the bridge has not yet begun. However, officials have released a slew of updates.

    The fire, which started under the Cincinnati side of the bridge at the Sawyer Point 1000 Hands Playground, broke out early Friday morning. The 40-foot-tall flames caused “significant damage” to the south side of the bridge, officials said. No cause has yet been determined, but investigations are underway.

    The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, where I-471 connects Cincinnati and Newport, and both sides of I-471, will be closed Friday. The northbound lanes of I-471 have now reopened, but the closures remain in effect.

    Here’s what else we know as of Wednesday morning:

    I-471 southbound remains closed

    Southbound I-471 at the bridge crossing remains closed until further notice. All access points to I-471 South in Ohio and Pete Rose Way and Riverside Drive on each side of the bridge also remain closed.

    Pete Rose Way is open to Eggleston Street eastbound. However, ODOT advises motorists to seek alternate routes through downtown to avoid congestion at the intersection.

    Riverside Drive is accessible from the Adams Place Condominiums building, between Adams Crossing and Kilgour Street westbound. ODOT advises through traffic to use Collins Avenue and William Howard Taft Road to Columbia Parkway.

    ODOT advises motorists traveling downtown from the Columbia-Tusculum area to divert onto Columbia Parkway at Delta Avenue.

    Preparations are underway for repairs on southbound I-471

    As of Tuesday evening, no repairs had been made to the damaged portion of I-471 southbound to the bridge. At least three beams, decking and an upper board truss need to be replaced.

    Preparations for the repair work are currently in full swing. Great Lakes Construction is designing support towers that will support the highway so it doesn’t collapse. Crews also obtain the materials for these towers and the repairs.

    ODOT said in a news release Tuesday evening that they cannot provide an accurate picture of when the repairs will be completed until the materials are obtained.

    A robot dog helps the crew assess the damage to the bridge

    ODOT and its team at the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center in DriveOhio are using a robotic “dog” to assist with the bridge inspection, ODOT said in a news release Monday evening. The dog, named ‘Brutus’, helps crews detect and avoid other aircraft during drone operations.

    The dog also has sensors that capture “valuable information” from the bridge deck and below “without endangering the crew,” the release reads. The dog’s sensors scan the damaged parts of the bridge. This data, along with drone images, will give ODOT engineers a better understanding of the damage, the release said.

    Sawyer Point Park may reopen soon

    Sawyer Point Park, which is closed due to the fire, may reopen soon. ODOT works with utilities to secure loose pipes or other materials under the highway that could pose a hazard to the public.

    Once this work is complete, Cincinnati Parks will reopen the Waterfront Bike Path, pickleball courts, tennis courts and Sawyer Point Park. Restrictions remain within the fenced area.

    Long-term barricades and barrels are in place

    Tuesday evening, Crews replaced ODOT’s temporary traffic control setup with long-term barricades and barrels at the access points to southbound I-471.

    At a news conference Friday, ODOT press secretary Matt Bruning said the southbound lanes will likely remain closed for weeks due to a “substantial amount” of damage. “This will be a long-term closure,” said ODOT spokesperson Kathleen Fuller.

    Traffic congestion is worst in the afternoon

    The worst traffic congestion occurs in the afternoon, when the 100,000 vehicles that normally use I-471 for their daily commute divert to other southbound bridges. The biggest areas of concern are the local street networks in Cincinnati and Covington/Newport.

    Traffic impacts and detour in Ohio

    Southbound I-471 traffic will be detoured via I-71 and I-75 South.

    Truck drivers are encouraged to use I-275 to I-71/75 to avoid delays. Drivers carrying hazardous materials must use I-275 and are prohibited on the Brent Spence Bridge and in the Lytle Tunnel on I-71.

    Motorists traveling through the Cincinnati metro area are advised to use I-275 around the city.

    ODOT said Tuesday evening that the following restrictions are in effect in downtown Cincinnati:

    • Liberty Street access to I-471 is closed.
    • Access to I-471 at 5th Street is closed.
    • The US 50 East and West access to I-471 is closed; US 50 remains open to through traffic.
    • Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive will be closed during the approach.
    • Eastbound Pete Rose Way drivers can use Eggleston Street.
    • Westbound Riverside Drive (US 52) must divert to Columbia Parkway (US 50).
    • The parking lot under the bridge, adjacent to Pete Rose Way, is closed.
    • Sawyer Point Park and all pedestrian and visitor facilities within the park are closed.

    Traffic Impacts in Kentucky

    A single lane closure remains in effect on I-471 North, beginning at the 5.6-mile marker near Memorial Parkway and continuing over the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.

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