Crews are set to install new girders on the Daniel C. Beard Bridge, marking a key milestone in the ongoing repair project.
This week, crews are bringing in some big steel girders to help with the repairs. The Ohio Department of Transportation said the first girders left Bowling Green, Kentucky, and should be in Cincinnati soon.
On Monday, they’ll unload these massive beams and lift them into place. Ironworkers will be working around the clock to get everything bolted down. More girders are expected to arrive over the next couple of days, along with some reinforcing steel later in the week.
These girders are no joke; they’re huge! They range from about 61 to 98 feet long and weigh between 22,400 and 27,300 pounds. Once they’re in, the next step will be pouring concrete for the new decks.
Kathleen Fuller from the Ohio Department of Transportation said this is a big step forward. They’re on track with the schedule, and it’s great to see the girders being made so quickly.
The bridge, also known as the Big Mac Bridge, has been closed since that fire damaged it from underneath. Repairs are expected to cost at least $10 million, but the final amount won’t be clear until everything is finished.
Four people were indicted in connection with the fire, and it looks like the work will continue for a while longer.
