Demolition on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge is now underway after a fire damaged a portion of it on Nov. 1.

Part of the northbound lanes are open, but the southbound lanes are closed.

Ohio Department of Transportation public information officer Kathleen Fuller says the work being done to repair the bridge is very precise as they take down just the damaged areas.

“We don’t want to jeopardize the structural integrity of everything that’s good,” Fuller explained. “The stuff that hasn’t been damaged can be saved, we just need to replace what’s been damaged.”

By March 2025, all work is expected to be complete.

“It’s actually a very aggressive schedule,” Fuller described. “For those who don’t understand why it’s not being done more quickly or more readily, it simply couldn’t. There’s so many variables as to why it’s taking the time that it has.”

Fuller says Cincinnati, Newport and Covington have made changes to signal times to try and lessen the traffic as people use other bridges to cross between Kentucky and Cincinnati.

“It’s really about people planning ahead, being mindful of the traffic and congestion that they’re going to face and just allow that extra time,” Fuller stressed.

Fuller reminded the press that there is a high demand for steel beams and girders because of these major infrastructure projects, which could affect the finished repair date.

“Not only are we in competition with that, we’re also in competition with all of the construction projects around the country where these companies have already been contracted with various DOTs from around the country, various agencies to fabricate their materials,” she explained.

Bruning says ODOT will pay foot the bill for the emergency repair project and will pursue federal reimbursement since Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency.