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Daniel Carter Beard Bridge

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Coordinates: 39°06′02″N 84°29′40″W / 39.1006°N 84.4945°W / 39.1006; -84.4945
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Daniel Carter Beard Bridge
Coordinates39°06′02″N 84°29′40″W / 39.1006°N 84.4945°W / 39.1006; -84.4945
Carries8 lanes of I-471
CrossesOhio River
LocaleNewport, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio
Other name(s)Big Mac Bridge
Maintained byKentucky Transportation Cabinet[1]
Characteristics
DesignTwin bowstring arch bridges
Total length639.93 meters (2,099.5 feet)
Width15.27 meters (50.1 feet)
Longest span230.92 meters (757.6 feet)
Clearance above5.49 meters (18 feet)
History
Construction cost$14 million[2]
OpenedJanuary 1976 (southbound)
December 1976 (northbound)
Statistics
Daily traffic97,900
Location
Map

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (also known colloquially as the Big Mac Bridge), is a yellow twin span steel bowstring arch bridge crossing the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio. It carries Interstate 471 between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Newport, Kentucky. The nickname comes from the yellow arches being similar to the "Golden Arches" logo of McDonald's restaurant.[3] The nickname was coined by local residents after the bridge's golden arches were constructed. In the 1980s, McDonald's considered opening a floating restaurant at the base after the nickname caught on, but never went to construction.[4] This bridge has a main span of 750 feet (230 m) and has a total span of 2,100 feet (640 m). It is named in honor of Daniel Carter Beard, the founder of the Sons of Daniel Boone and one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America.[5]

The bridge was originally configured with three lanes and an emergency shoulder on each span. In December 2000, with the completion of a reconstruction project on the 3rd Street Viaduct approach, the bridge was reconfigured to four lanes on each span. The bridge was originally designed by Hazelet + Erdal, now URS Corporation.

In the early morning hours of November 1, 2024, a fire beneath the bridge in Sawyer Point Park spread to the park's playground, engulfing the bridge in flames and causing structural damage.[6][7][8] The southbound lanes were closed due to the need for extensive repairs.[9] On December 10, 2024, local news reported that three persons were arrested for causing the fire.[10]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application".
  2. ^ "Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (Interstate 471)". Bridges & Tunnels. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  3. ^ Pond, Robert J. (May 1, 2003). Follow the Blue Blazes: A Guide To Hiking Ohio's Buckeye Trail. Ohio University Press. p. 93. ISBN 9780821414897. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  4. ^ Smith, Steve; Woods, Jamie (2007). "Around Town: How to Decode Cincinnati's Many Motorways". Cincinnati USA City Guide. Cincinnati Magazine. p. 79. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  5. ^ "Bridge to open". Kentucky New Era. Associated Press. October 28, 1976. p. 8. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  6. ^ Jordan, Felicia; Weiter, Taylor (November 1, 2024). "Northbound lanes of I-471 reopen at Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, southbound lanes remain closed". WCPO-TV. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Baker, Jennifer Edwards (November 1, 2024). "Massive fire damages Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, I-471 closed". FOX19 Cincinnati. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  8. ^ "Massive fire shuts down Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and I-471 over Ohio River". WKRC. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  9. ^ Aponte, Nicole (November 19, 2024). "Officials: Damage to Big Mac Bridge worse than initially believed, traffic patterns changing to cross Ohio River". WLWT. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  10. ^ Sanderson, Emily (December 10, 2024). "Sources: 3 arrested in connection with fire that damaged Big Mac Bridge". WLWT. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
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