First Girders Arrive for Bridge Repairs in Cincinnati

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has begun the installation of new steel girders for the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, also known as the Big Mac Bridge, which was severely damaged in a fire on November 1. The first set of girders, fabricated in Bowling Green, Kentucky, arrived in Cincinnati on January 13, with additional shipments scheduled for the following days. Each girder weighs over 22,000 pounds and measures up to 99 feet in length. Construction crews are working around the clock to install the girders and secure them for the concrete deck that will follow, with hopes to complete repairs by March. The fire led to significant traffic disruptions, and four individuals have been indicted in connection with the incident. ODOT has expressed optimism about meeting the repair timeline, contingent on favorable weather conditions.