CINCINNATI — All six support towers have been placed under the southbound lanes of I-471 at the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.

The towers will allow the Ohio Department of Transportation and the contractor to inspect and evaluate what repairs are needed There was a huge fire under the bridge two weeks ago.

Inspections are scheduled for Friday, and ODOT said structural engineers will “take an in-depth, close inspection of the entire structure to determine how extensive the damage is and how much work and materials will be needed for repairs.” “

While crews evaluate repairs, Cincinnati and KYTC are making changes to other traffic patterns to support the increase in traffic flow on detours off SB I-471.

ODOT said Cincinnati adjusted traffic signal timing at “major intersections” and engineers in Covington also made some signal adjustments. These changes can be found Here.

ODOT said next week engineers in Kentucky will install new controllers at traffic booths in Covington, which were originally planned to be installed later this year but were expedited by ongoing emergency repairs on I-471. ODOT said these controllers “will provide real-time traffic data to help make long-term improvements in signal timing.”

You should still plan for longer driving times if you’re trying to travel south on the Ohio River, especially during rush hour.

Things to avoid when entering or leaving Cincinnati:

Closings in Ohio:

• Access to I-471 from I-71 Liberty Street
• 5th Avenue access to I-471
• US-50 East and West access to I-471 (US 50 remains open to traffic.)
• Approaching Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive

ODOT is diverting southbound I-471 traffic from Ohio via I-71 and I-75 South.

While Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive is closed for the approach, motorists heading east on Pete Rose Way can use Eggleston Street. Westbound Riverside Drive traffic will travel to US 50.

Information via ODOT