Robotic Dog Helps Crews Assess I-471 Bridge Damage

As a reminder, all access points to I-471 South in Ohio are closed

Photo provided.

CINCINNATI – The Ohio Department of Transportation and its team from the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center at DriveOhio are using the latest in technology in the form of a robotic “dog” to assist with the inspection and repairs of the I-471 Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.

Using the robotic dog allows ODOT to safely capture valuable information from atop the bridge deck and underneath it without putting crews in harm’s way. Using attached sensors, crews use the dog to conduct a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scan of the damaged areas of the bridge.

LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that uses lasers to measure distances and create 3D models.

As a reminder, all access points to I-471 South in Ohio are closed, as well as Pete Rose Way and Riverside Drive on each side of the bridge approach, until further notice.

Downtown motorists on Pete Rose Way and Riverside will need to seek alternate routes, and those wanting to travel to Kentucky should follow I-71/75.

Sawyer Point Park remains closed, including the Waterfront Bike Path and Pedestrian Trail along the Ohio River.

Motorists and visitors to the park are prohibited from entering the secured areas on either side of the bridge, and moving any barricade to enter a restricted area is strictly prohibited. 

Contractors for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have resumed ongoing bridge repair project on the main span of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge heading into Kentucky.

This project is separate from the emergency repair project by ODOT.

Ohio Traffic Impacts and Detour 

Southbound I-471 traffic is being detoured by way of I-71 and I-75 South. Heavy truck (semi) drivers are encouraged to use I-275 to I-71/75 to avoid delays, and all HAZMAT operators are required to follow the I-275 outerbelt. 

In addition, the following restrictions are in place in downtown Cincinnati:  

• Liberty Street access to I-471 is closed. 
• 5th Street access to I-471 is closed. 
• U.S. 50 East and West access to I-471 is closed. (U.S. 50 remains open to thru traffic.) 
• Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive is closed under the approach. 
  • Eastbound Pete Rose Way motorists may use Eggleston Street. 
  • Westbound Riverside Drive (U.S. 52) should divert to Columbia Parkway (U.S. 50). 
• The parking lot under the bridge approach, adjacent to Pete Rose Way, is closed. 
• Sawyer Point Park and all pedestrian and visitor facilities within the park are closed.

Kentucky Traffic Impacts 

A single-lane closure is in effect on I-471 North beginning at the 3.6-mile marker near Memorial Parkway and continuing across the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.