“Surgical demolition” underway on fire-damaged Big Mac Bridge

The fire caused extensive damage that left the bridge unstable. (PHOTO: ODOT)

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge - known locally as Big Mac Bridge - suffered structural damage when a fire broke out under the bridge on the Ohio southbound approach section on November 1, 2024. 

When firefighters were called to the bridge, which stretches over the Ohio River and connects Cincinnati, Ohio, with Newport, Kentucky, they found a large outdoor fire at a playground situated directly under the approach span.

Demolition crews have removed a section of the bridge deck. (PHOTO: ODOT)

Over the past several days demolition and engineering crews from Great Lakes Construction have removed smaller sections of the bridge’s concrete deck using “surgical demolition” methods.

In the coming weeks, the teams will work to remove a concrete slab and to dismantle the damaged steel girders beneath it.

In the days following the fire, six shoring towers were installed to stabilise the structure. (PHOTO: ODOT)

The demolition process is expected to continue for at least two weeks, with replacement girders for the southbound section due to arrive onsite in mid-January next year.

The ODOT said: “Once crews complete demolition on the southbound section, they’ll turn their attention to removing and repairing a 70-foot section of the left wall on northbound I-471 that was damaged in the fire. This work is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.”

At this time, the Cincinnati Fire Department has not determined the cause of the fire.

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