Massive Sawyer Point Fire Shuts Down Big Mac Bridge

Source: Brennan Asplen/The APP / Getty

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge to Newport, KY— also known as the “Big Mac Bridge— is indefinitely closed for southbound traffic following a massive fire Friday morning that caused substantial damage. The fire was reported around 3:30 a.m. at Sawyer Point Park. Stemming from the playground below the bridge, the flames reached the underbelly of the bridge’s structure. Flames reportedly climbed to more than 40 feet high. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Approximately 60 firefighters responded, finding the playground destroyed, with swings, slides, and other equipment reduced to soot and ashes. The intense heat is said to be fueled by the playground’s wood and synthetic materials. With the fire reaching several thousand degrees, this inflicted severe damage to three bridge beams, a section of the road deck, and a sign truss.

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The Cincinnati Fire Department, along with officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, are closely monitoring the bridge’s structural integrity.

Road Closures

The fire has also resulted in multiple street closures Downtown, including:

– Liberty Street access to I-471.
– Fifth Street access to I-471.
– U.S. 50 (River Road) East and West access to I-471; however, U.S. 50 remains open to through traffic.
– Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive under the bridge approach; in front of Bicentennial entrance.

ODOT has extended a northbound single-lane closure south of the bridge to Memorial Parkway to ensure safety for motorists and construction crews. The city is encouraging southbound drivers to take alternate routes via I-71 and I-75. An emergency repair contract has been expedited, with construction crews from Great Lakes Construction starting work Friday night.

Sawyer Point Park remains closed for safety assessments. The Cincinnati Fire Department is investigating the fire’s cause but has not ruled anything out.

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