Repairs to the Brent Spence Bridge between Kentucky and Ohio are at the halfway point, Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said on Wednesday.
The bridge, which caught fire in the early hours of Nov. 11 after a semi-tractor trailer t-boned another truck, has been closed to traffic as crews work to repair fire-damaged portions of the multi-deck structure.
According to Grey, the fire-affected parts of the bridge’s upper deck and new support beams have been placed on the bridge.
“We literally have all hands on deck as crews work around the clock to restore the bridge to its safe and sound state,” Gray said. “The project remains on track as activities continue this week to prepare for the installation of the new upper deck.”
During the third week of repairs, contractors finalized the beams’ installation and got the bridge ready for a new concrete driving surface, Grey said. In the coming week, contractors will install metal deck pans for concrete to be poured into, install rebar to reinforce the concrete once it is poured, and install steel connections that connect the deck and barrier wall for added durability.
The bridge is one of four main bridges connecting Ohio and Kentucky and carries traffic for I-71 and I-75. When Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear made the determination to close the bridge after the fire, Department of Transportation officials also shut down the Roebling Suspension Bridge out of weight concerns. The suspension bridge was allowed to re-open days later, but officials banned commercial traffic over 11-tons out of weight limit concerns.
Traffic on I-71/75 is being detoured onto I-275 and to alternative river crossings along I-275 and I-471. One lane of traffic is open on I-71/75 between I-275 and downtown Covington for local traffic. The bridge is scheduled to reopen on Dec. 23.