UPDATE: Gov. Andy Beshear hosted a press briefing about the incident. He said current information indicates a truck jack-knifed on the Brent Spence Bridge around 2:45 a.m. and was struck by another truck, which was carrying potassium hydroxide — a caustic chemical.
"A fire broke out and has caused visible damage to the bridge and its concrete decking," Beshear said.
Bridge inspectors and engineers are on site, but due to the high temperature of the structure — even after the fire has been contained — they are unable to access it. The extent of damage has yet to be determined.
"The bridge, at best, will be closed several days. But we ought to be prepared for significantly more disruption than that," Beshear said.
Original post
Both levels of the Brent Spence Bridge have been closed due to a crash. According to WCPO, two semi trucks wrecked into each other early this morning, leading to a fire and chemical spill.
The trucks reportedly crashed into each other on the lower level of the Brent Spence, but smoke from the resulting fire impacted travel southbound as well.
MAJOR BRIDGE CLOSURE: The Brent Spence Bridge is closed due to a crash that resulted in a fire early this morning. The fire is out. The bridge is expected to be closed for several hours for inspection, reconstruction & clean up. Traffic is being detoured onto I-471 and I-275. pic.twitter.com/K6Z28xeow2
— KYTC District 6 (@KYTCDistrict6) November 11, 2020
The fire has been put out, but the bridge will remain closed while they inspect it and clean up. There were reportedly no injuries.
Just spoke to Covington Police. Capt says Most recent update is all emergency personnel have all been ordered off the bridge until is has been deemed structurally sound. This is going to impact any timeframe for reopening. @wcpo https://t.co/GH9dbGcZNB
— Courtney Francisco (@CFranciscoWCPO) November 11, 2020
The Ohio Department of Transportation is currently rerouting all southbound I-75 traffic to I-471. They suggest also using I-275.
Visit OHGO.com for alternate routes.
If you are looking for the best options for detours to avoid delays due to the accident on the I-75 Brent Spence Bridge & the closure of north & southbound traffic on I-75 we suggest you follow @ODOT & https://t.co/e3RG1cSUEv for updates. For KY go to @KYTCGoKY https://t.co/tjqsDk0F9g
— Cincinnati Police Department (@CincyPD) November 11, 2020
