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    • Daniel Carter Beard Bridge’s steel girders and deck damaged in massive fire
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    Daniel Carter Beard Bridge’s steel girders and deck damaged in massive fire

    Harry Posted on

    One of the main connections between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky may be closed for weeks after a fire under the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge damaged its steel structure, officials said Friday.

    The fire at the Sawyer Point 1000 Hands Playground under the bridge was first reported at 3:20 a.m., Cincinnati Fire Chief Frank McKinley said. The flames reached 40 meters and caused a fire on the bridge. Officials said about 60 firefighters were sent to fight the blaze.

    According to Matt Bruning, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation, the massive fire caused significant damage to the bridge’s Ohio approach; Repairing this damage can take days or even weeks and possibly cost millions of dollars.

    “At least three beams will need to be replaced in this portion of the structure,” Bruning said. Some of the road decking and the sign beam will also need to be replaced.

    Inspectors hope to evaluate the northbound lanes of the bridge soon. Bruning said this part of the bridge will be reopened first. He said it was too early to give a timeline.

    The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, also known locally as the Big Mac Bridge, opened in 1977 and carries an estimated 97,900 vehicles across the Ohio River each day. Interstate 471 between the bridge and Interstate 275 was closed Friday. All access points from Cincinnati to I-471 were also closed.

    McKinley said the cause and source of the fire is being investigated.

    “We didn’t rule anything out,” McKinley said.

    The playground was filled with wood and synthetic materials, possibly causing a fire that reached several thousand degrees, McKinley said. The ground was covered with a spongy synthetic mat, according to Rocky Merz of the Cincinnati Parks Department.

    No injuries were reported. Officials said no hazardous materials were released as a result of the fire and no vehicles were damaged.

    Small fires in the playground reignited throughout the morning. There were open flames in the area as late as 9.30am, about six hours after the initial fire. The fire was extinguished by 11 a.m., McKinley said.

    More: Here are other bridges that will cross the Ohio River

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    Reporter Patricia Gallagher Newberry contributed to this report. This story has been updated to add a video.

    Harry
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